Interpretation of Findings

The R squared values of any of these models is between .13 and .16. This suggests that, despite the robust nature of some of the coefficients, there is definitely more going on here than what is captured in the regressions. Some explanations for this are offered in the following pages, but it seems relevant to comment on what it is that the results do show. First of all, controlling for other factors, the two most important factors in every scenario are median income and liberalism. Age and race, controlling for these factors, are negligible in the main regression, and only slightly more important in the secondary regression. If these demographics are in fact the groups driving craft beer growth, then it suggests that those covering the craft beer market may be focused on the wrong factors. Most importantly, it seems that the characterization of craft beer as a hip, young trend may be in fact spurious. If liberalism is controlled for, the 25-34 year old population does not seem to matter much more than any other population. This could be an easy trend to miss, since this demographic is perceived as being more liberal, but it implies that the characterization of craft beer market as a trend may be unfair. Much of the interest in craft beer may come from a respect for small, artisan businessmen competing with enormous multinational conglomerates and carving out a market share through careful craftsmanship and quality ingredients.

So while the demographic makeup of the area may have some effect on the location of craft breweries, it only describes some small part of that trend. The question, then, that must conclude this paper, is what other factors are at play here? Or, alternatively, what went wrong in the study that wasn’t accounted for? For that, a few possible suggestions are suggested below.