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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Bottoms up! More people are buying beer this year.

Brew sales have had a boost for the first time since the 2008 recession.

According to "Beverage Marketing," first quarter beer sales are up two percent, and much to Colorado consumers' delight craft beers are a factor in the increase.

It's not just Budweiser and Coors anymore.

As more folks look for new flavors, more microbrews are popping up.

"It's like listening to the same song for 30 years," Robert McNeely, manager of Veteran's Liquor said, "so they wanna switch it up, make it different."

The staff at Veteran's are like beer counselors: evaluating and prescribing everything from pales to pilsners.

McNeely sees the expansion of the craft beer consumer, from newcomers to afficiandos.

"I have people coming in here who aren't very educated about it but they're very well-ready to try something new," he said.

"Then you get guys in here who are months ahead on what bombers coming out, what specialty craft is coming out. They're waiting for it before it's even brewed."

People are attracted to craft beers for their own reasons: the taste, the trend, even the labels.

McNeely explained craft brewing is more personal. Beers are made in smaller batches and brewers get to test out different flavors.

"It's really focused on with care," he explained, "Instead of just a generalized pilsner that satisfies the masses, you can really hone in on what you like and make it personal."

He's pleased with the amount of Colorado labels on his shelf, and added that there are more local brews than he can count.

Colorado boasts more than 8 percent of the country's breweries, but less than 2 percent of the population.

"We're growing all the time and I get more and more small craft brewers walking through my door saying, 'Hey would you carry my beer?,' and all that, and I think it's actually helping our local economy immensely."

Both beer lovers and historians aren't suprised by Colorado's drinking and brewing success.

According to legend, Denver's first permanent structure was a saloon.