Too many beer drinkers, not enough beer.

That’s the problem — or perhaps the dubious benefit — confronting several of Colorado’s most popular craft brewers.

They’ve had to suspend shipments to some out-of-state markets because demand from consumers has outstripped supplies.

Denver-based Great Divide Brewing Co. recently notified distributors that it is pulling out of five states and the nation’s capital on top of a consolidation late last year in all or parts of seven other states.

Oskar Blues Brewery and Left Hand Brewing, both based in Longmont, also have exited out-of-state markets over the past year.

The brewers are growing as fast as they can, but not quickly enough to satisfy national demand.

The exploding popularity of full-flavored craft beers has taken beermakers by surprise. They’ve always expected vigorous growth, yet the rate of sales increase has exceeded expectations.

While total U.S. beer sales declined by 1 percent last year, custom-made crafts saw 12 percent growth, to $7.6 billion, according to the Boulder-based Brewers Association.

The fact that demand is outpacing supply signifies, analysts say, both a beery blessing and a sour belch. It adds cachet to a scarce product, but it also can frustrate consumers.

“Some people say it’s a good problem to have,” said Brian Dunn, owner and founder of Great Divide. “We don’t see it as a good problem. We want to be able to serve all our markets.”

Dunn said Great Divide’s pullback was only partly dictated by capacity constraints. The brewer also wanted to streamline distribution to focus on its strongest markets, especially Colorado.

Effective May 1, Great Divide will cease distribution in Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, southern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

In December, the brewer had stopped shipments to Alaska, New Mexico, Kentucky, and parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and Minnesota. Great Divide still sells in 15 states.

Oskar Blues has quadrupled capacity over the past four years but has had to ration beer shipments to some of its markets.

“We’re really trying to hold tight (on out-of-state distribution) and focus on selling more beer in Colorado,” said Chad Melis, marketing director at Oskar Blues.

Last year, the brewer permanently pulled out of Idaho and Nevada, and suspended distribution for up to 45 days until it could rebuild stocks in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and New Mexico.

Left Hand Brewing is limiting its production of seasonal and specialty beers so it can meet growing demand for its flagship, year-round brands.

“We are adding 85 percent to our capacity this year, but the scary thing is that the backlog continues to grow (for out-of-state markets),” said Eric Wallace, president and founder of Left Hand. “A little bit of scarcity is not entirely a bad thing, but still, it concerns me.”

At the end of last year, Left Hand pulled out of Alaska, Mobile, Ala., the Florida Panhandle and eastern Tennessee. It remains in 28 states.

Not all Colorado craft brewers are experiencing consolidation.

Fort Collins-based Odell Brewing Co. has increased its capacity over the past year from 48,000 barrels to 80,000 to accommodate demand.

“If you combine this added fermentation space with our business philosophy of growing at a managed, steady and sustainable rate, we have no capacity constraints at this time and have not pulled back from any markets,” said founder Doug Odell.

New Belgium, the largest of Colorado’s craft brewers, has learned over the years how to match supply with demand. It hasn’t withdrawn from any markets since 1996, when it had to suddenly suspend shipments to Minnesota after sales of the popular Fat Tire spiked in metro Denver.

“Our growth model is to make sure our current markets are intact, and then go from there,” said Joe Menetre, director of sales. “We make sure we have enough padding in our production, just in case demand doubles.”

Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com

Cheers to Colorado beers

The first Colorado Beer Week, featuring a different beery event every day, kicked off Friday and runs through April 16.

“Throughout the week, businesses will be hosting events that bring you great beer and educate everyone on the versatility of this tasty beverage,” the organizers promise on their website.

For a complete schedule, go to cobeerweek.com.