Is craft beer losing its fizz?

THINK Thai Mango Salad sour beer with a hint of spice and savoury notes. Or perhaps a rich, decadent black forest stout. The pursuit of exotic, flavourful beers has propelled the global craft beer market over the past two decades, pushing it past its "indie" niche to a saturated stage with big breweries moving in. In Singapore, independent small-batch brewers have risen to the challenge, and now produce over 20 local craft beer brands, up from around a dozen some five years ago, according to market players. While there is a growing appreciation for craft beer as people seek novel and more premium flavours, the market is vexed by stiff competition among craft brands and with the cheaper commercial beers that continue to dominate consumer buying.

According to projections by leading statistics portal Statista, revenue in Singapore's beer market will amount to US$1.7 billion in 2020, and it is expected to continue to grow annually by 3 per cent. Craft beer sales, however, account for only around 3 per cent of the beer market. And the nation's most popular beer by far, in terms of total volume sales, remains homegrown Tiger Beer, made by Heineken-owned Asia-Pacific Breweries (APB), one of South-east Asia's biggest brewers.

Despite supply outstripping demand, Singapore continues to see more local brewing aspirants enter the scene. Just in January this year, a new craft brand - Off Day Beer Company - made its debut, and the market can expect more buzz in the coming months as more new players make their entrance.