Last year, 66 microbreweries opened around the country while another 66 closed, according to the Brewers Association, a nonprofit group devoted to professional brewers.

The Brewers Association (BA) is an American trade group of over 1,900 brewers, particularly concerned with the promotion of craft beer and homebrewing.

Some of Landor's earliest designs were beer company logos that earned awards from the Brewers Association of America and the Small Brewers Association.

Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association, a national nonprofit organization devoted to professional brewers, says the truth is that beer drinkers will not be able to tell the difference.

Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association, a Colorado-based trade and educational organization, said he believes that strong beers appeal to brewers because "a lot of craft goes into them."

Howard Collins, acting general manager for the Brewers Association of Canada, said his members were pleased with the agreement although they would have preferred a longer transition.

The Pueblo company was awarded a "Gold Award" in 1956 and the "Excellence of Quality" award in 1972 by the Brewers Association of America.

Thinking back on the boom, Mr. Doyle, who is also chairman of the Brewers Association of America, described the rush to market as a busy intersection without a traffic light.

Blue Moon has come under fire by the Brewers Association for not stating on the bottle that the beer is made by MillerCoors.

The Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand was set up to advocate on behalf of brewers in both countries.