If you’re looking for the centre of innovation in the craft beer industry, head to Europe. That’s because Europe now accounts for more than one-half of all new craft beer launches, according to the latest data from research firm Mintel Food & Drink. Over the past 12 months, Europe accounted for 54% of all launches in the craft beer sector, compared to just 19% from North America. That marks a significant reversal from just four years ago when North America accounted for 52% of all new craft beer launches, and Europe just 29%.

The long-term trend, says Mintel, is the migration of the craft beer trend from the United States to the UK and now to Europe. At one time, North America might have been the undisputed leader of the craft beer trend, but now Europe appears to have gained the lead as consumers throughout Europe search out beers with the words “small batch,” “artisanal,” “craft” and “independent” on the label.

On a per country basis, the United States still leads the way in global craft beer launches (with 17% of all new beers), but 6 of the world’s Top 10 most innovative markets (as measured by a number of new craft beer launches) are now in Europe.

While Europeans have traditionally celebrated beers brewed according to centuries-old brewing traditions, the craft beer movement appears to be winning over European consumers with its scope of innovation. According to Mintel, Europeans are eager to try new, more exciting offerings, even those beers made with a distinctly non-European brewing style. In countries like Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic – the three countries within Europe with the strongest traditions of beer – consumers are searching out new styles appearing on retail shelves, including IPA beers.

In terms of the countries where consumers are most likely to try out new beer styles, the leaders include Poland (where 64% of those surveyed expressed an interest in craft beers), France (63%) and Italy (61%). In comparison, just 50% of Germans were likely to try a new beer style.

For craft beer brewers, the good news is that the tags “craft,” “artisanal” and “small batch” carry with them a price premium. In almost every country across Europe included in the survey, nearly 50% of consumers said that craft beer is worth the extra money. For example, 52% of those surveyed in Italy and 51% of those surveyed in France were supportive of a craft beer premium. This is evidence of their desire to support small-batch and hand-crafted beers rather than standard mass-produced beers.

If the trend continues, of course, it could mean that Europe will increasingly become the hub of the craft beer industry, with small independent brewers scattered throughout Europe. Based on the survey data, it appears that the most interesting new European markets for launching a new craft beer brand include France and Italy. That’s because both of these nations have consumers looking to try artisanal craft beers, and both also have consumers willing to pay an extra premium for those beers. Going forward, then, keep your eyes on continental Europe for what’s new in the craft beer world.