I noticed the local weekly had a brief story this week about Montana taking over the No. 2 spot in “breweries per capita” based on information from 2011 released by the Brewers Association.* It’s a statistic we see thrown around on a fairly frequent basis. Montana keeps trading places with Oregon.  Occasionally Maine sneaks in there, too.

The Montana Brewers Association touts it, newspapers tout it, other blogs tout it . . . hell, even I’m guilty of throwing it around for lack of a better idea for a post. 

But really, it’s mostly a filler statistic.  It’s what we tout when we don’t compare in straight up numbers.  A story in Hood River Biz Buzz humorously points out that Hood River, OR, puts Portland, OR – craft beer mecca – to shame in the number of breweries per capita.

True, it’s pretty cool that a town of fewer than 7,200 people has four breweries. To that end, the “breweries per capita” statistic at least has some relevant indication of a pretty happening beer scene.   So maybe that’s it. Maybe its an indication of the “interest” in craft beer for a particular location.

Well, Canada has more breweries per capita than the United States. Hmmm . . . . . When Philipsburg Brewing Co. opens soon, Philipsburg will have the third most breweries per capita of all cities and towns in Montana!  Look out Belt (No. 2) and Wibaux (No. 1)!  Each has one. Brewery, not per capita.

At the recent beer bloggers conference I mentioned to another blogger that Montana was the No. 2 state in breweries per capita with 36 unique breweries. “Pfffttt,” was the response.  “We have almost 50 in the city of Portland alone,” he said.

The point is, no one cares much about “blah, blah per capita” statistics. Actually, that’s not entirely true.  Whomever holds down the top spot cares and whomever is poised to take over the top spot cares, but that’s about it.  Breweries per capita is an interesting statistic, but it does little more than pique the curiosity.  I’m guessing the casual observer might be surprised to see Montana check in at number two.  Perhaps that curiosity might cause someone to take a closer look. And for sure, that could be a good thing.

Here’s a statistic you can take to the bank:  There is a 100% chance I will be having a beer tonight. What about you?

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* Try as I might, I can’t get google to find this info for me, nor can I find it on the Brewers Association’s website.