Craft Beers Land on More In-Flight Beverage Carts

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Craft beer continues to be one of the fastest-growing brew segments in the country, posting annual growth of 17.2 percent by volume in 2013, according to the Brewer’s Association. And with demand steadily climbing higher, smaller-batch suds have found their way to the skies as well.

In the last year, an increasing number of airlines have added regional craft brews to their in-flight offerings, giving passengers a tasty new reason to flag down that beverage cart.

Leading the way is Southwest Airlines, which added New Belgium’s Fat Tire to beverage carts in 2013. While the carrier declined to comment on whether the upgraded brew translated to a bump in in-flight sales, a representative did say that it’s been a hit with passengers.

“Introducing Fat Tire to our on-board beverages was a great addition,” Michelle Agnew, a Southwest Airlines spokesperson, told ABC News. “The response has been great and we love having a Colorado-based beer on board for our customers to enjoy.”

Over the summer, Chicago-based United Airlines began offering Goose Island’s 312 Urban Wheat Ale craft beer on flights worldwide and in U.S United Clubs as part of a larger revamp of the carrier’s food and beverage program.

“312 Urban Wheat Ale has proven to be a popular choice among our customers since we added it to our in-flight beverage menu, and its on-board sales continue to grow,” said Lynda Coffman, United’s vice president of food services. “We’re pleased that we were able to work with another company with strong Chicago roots to meet our customers’ demand for craft beer.”

Named for one of the Windy City’s largest area codes, the brew is described as having “a spicy aroma of cascade hops, followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body that is immensely refreshing.”

Minneapolis’ own Sun Country Airlines offers three brews produced by local favorite Surly Brewing Co. Passengers have a choice of the Furious IPA, an Oatmeal-based brown lager named Bender, and Hell, an unfiltered German-style lager — just the type of refreshment one might require after a frustrating pass through airport security checkpoints.

But Midwest carriers aren’t the only ones getting in on the craft trend. Hawaiian Airlines recently announced it will be serving up Maui Brewing Company’s Bikini Blonde Lager on flights en route to and from the islands, with a plan to expand the range of craft options soon.

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