Coming off impressive growth over the last few years, SweetWater Brewing Company continued to outpace the beer business and the craft brewing industry in 2007. SweetWater's shipments to wholesalers increased by 12,500 barrels totaling 45,500 barrels, and a 37% gain over 2006. The brewing industry grew just over 2% nationwide and craft beers as a category saw double digit growth again in '07. SweetWater Brewery maintained its position as one of the top 30 independent breweries in the country while staying geographically focused on its hometown of Atlanta and a few surrounding cities.