It's been 16 days since I suggested we declare August "Fruit Beer Month" and it finally looks like the print press is catching up with me. I recently saw on the wire that "Light, refreshing fruit-based beers are way hot for summer." Duh! That's what I've been trying to tell you.

But in her article, Lauren Chapin points out some interesting facts:

1) "In 2007, fruit beer sales grew a stunning 37 percent, making it the fastest-growing segment of the beer industry, according to Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association." This figure is in comparison to a 16% growth in craft beers sales overall for '07 (as also determined by the Brewers Association). Thus, it comes as no surprise why '08 has felt like the summer of fruit beers. If you don't like 'em, don't blame me, blame capitalism!

Find two more interesting aspects after the jump...

2) Last year, the Great American Beer Festival had 94 entries in the fruit and vegetable category, making it one of the largest categories. Not a huge surprise as I'm sure brewers think that a unique fruit or vegetable choice in a beer will stick out more and have better traction than battling it out against other hop varietals in the IPA department. Still, a noteworthy development all the same.

3) Chapin quotes Tobias Case, assistant brewer at McCoy's Public House in Kansas City, as saying that fruit beers appeal to "a younger crowd who don't drink stronger beers and want to enjoy something light and refreshing, especially in the 21-to-27 age demographic."

I don't know who this Tobias Case character is, but it sounds to me like he's calling out all you newbies. And called out you should be: I might have made August all about fruit beers, but when that's over you're only one month from Oktoberfest. So get ready, 'cause once the weather cools off, it's time to get out your big boy steins!