Cheers to American Craft Beer Week

WILLIAMSBURG, Mass. (WWLP) - Coming by a quality pint of beer is a bit easier these days with the growing popularity of microbrews, and this fast-growing industry is doing very well here in western Massachusetts.

The demand for craft beer is growing and so is the number of breweries trying to supply that demand. There are 34 small brewing companies in Massachusetts.

They range from national manufacturers like Sam Adams to microbreweries like Opa-Opa . The brewing company started as a brew-pub in Williamsburg in 2004 and has since expanded.

Opa-Opa lead brewer Michael Charpentier says the rate they have grown has been astounding.

"Quickly expanded, I believe quicker that most other craft breweries have taken off, including Sam Adams, at the scale we grew tremendously to distributing and eventually built this production brewery,” Charpentier said.

Annually, Opa-Opa produces 40 beers, with one of the most popular blends being their Watermelon Ale.

On average, they make 700 barrels of beer a month.

Charpentier says unlike big industry brewers who use ingredients like rice and corn, micro-brewing is known for full-bodied flavors and it's known for its quality hops and grains.

According to the Brewer's Association, there are close to 2,000 independent brewers in the country, and thousands more waiting to be licensed.

This week is American Craft Beer Week, to learn more about that visit craftbeer.com