BOULDER - For the first time ever, craft beer has exceeded more than a 5 percent dollar share of total beer sales, according to industry organization The Brewers Association, based in Boulder. The volume of craft beer sold in the first half of 2007 rose 11 percent compared to this same period in 2006 and dollar growth increased 14 percent.

Fort Collins brewer Odell Brewing Co. exceeded the industry average with an 18.8 percent sales volume increase in the first half of 2007.

"We are excited about our beer volume growth, because it validates our focus on brewing innovative beers that are interesting to our customers," said Wynne Odell, Odell Brewing CEO.

Overall, the U.S. beer industry sold one million more barrels in the first half of 2007 compared to 2006, with 400,000 of these new barrels produced by craft brewers. This equates to 3.768 million barrels of craft beer sold in the first two quarters of 2007 compared to 3.368 million barrels sold in the first half of 2006.

Scan data from Information Resources, Inc. provide additional data points that confirm strength for the segment. Craft beer sales in the supermarket channel through July 15 showed a 17.4 percent increase in dollar sales compared to the same period in 2006. This growth in sales was higher than any other alcohol beverage category.