Spatial diffusion of barrel-aging techniques in the American craft beer industry

Steven W. Landgraf

Journal of Wine Economics, 2026, vol. 21, issue 3, _1

Abstract: This research explores the factors that influence the adoption of barrel-aging techniques by US-based craft brewers from 2008 to 2014. Particular focus is placed on the importance of influence from geographically close peer breweries as a way to understand the effects of local influence or knowledge spillovers from agglomeration. Combining data on brewery-level production and estimates of the timing of the release of barrel-aged (BA) beers, I find evidence that nearby releases of BA beers increase the likelihood of a brewery introducing its first BA beer. However, national trends appear to be a stronger influence. These effects are robust to estimating on subsamples of brewery and metro sizes and controlling for a local demand proxy.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cup:jwecon:v:21:y:2026:i:3:p:_1

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