The 2024 Craft Brewing Report – Breweries, Sales, Production, and Top 50 Craft Brewers
The Brewers Association, the national trade group representing small and independent American craft brewers, has released its 2024 industry report, highlighting key shifts in production, employment, and market dynamics across the U.S. craft beer landscape.
In 2024, U.S. craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer, marking a 4.0% decline from 2023. Despite this drop in production, craft beer’s market share by volume held steady at 13.3%, mirroring last year’s figures. This occurred in the context of a broader 1.2% decline in total U.S. beer volume.
While production decreased, the retail dollar value of craft beer grew 3%, reaching an estimated $28.9 billion. Craft beer now accounts for 24.7% of the U.S. beer market in retail dollar sales, thanks in part to pricing adjustments and the continued strength of taproom and brewpub sales.
The craft brewing workforce expanded to 197,112 jobs, a 3.0% increase over 2023. Much of this growth is tied to the rise of hospitality-focused models like taprooms and brewpubs, which support more jobs in local communities.
Number of U.S. Breweries Sees First Decline Since 2005
At the end of 2024, there were 9,612 active U.S. craft breweries, including:
1,934 microbreweries
3,389 brewpubs
3,695 taproom breweries
266 regional craft breweries
The total number of breweries in the U.S. dropped slightly to 9,680, down from 9,747 in 2023. This marks the first nationwide brewery count decline since 2005. Over the past year, 434 new breweries opened while 501 closed, reflecting a challenging yet competitive market. Still, the closure rate remained relatively low at around 5%.
“In a mature market, not every year brings growth in volume,” said Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association. “Progress is now measured in operational efficiency, innovation, and beer quality. Despite headwinds, small brewers continue to adapt and persevere.”
Pressures Mount, But Craft Brewers Remain Resilient
Craft brewers are navigating rising ingredient costs, supply chain pressures, and changing consumer preferences. Tariffs on imported brewing equipment, aluminum cans, steel kegs, and core ingredients like hops and malt have only added to the financial burden—especially for small brewers working with slim margins.
These challenges have led many breweries to postpone expansion, raise prices, or absorb financial losses, but the Brewers Association remains optimistic about the sector’s adaptability.
“Craft brewers’ ability to connect with local communities and respond to evolving tastes continues to be a strong point,” added Gacioch. “There’s still room for innovation and success in today’s market.”
2024 Rankings Highlight Top Craft Brewers
As part of its annual report, the Brewers Association also released the 2024 Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies by Sales Volume. Of the top 50 overall U.S. brewing companies, 41 are small and independent craft brewers. Notably, eight new breweries entered the top 50 craft list in 2024, signaling that growth opportunities still exist.
“These companies represent some of the most resilient and recognizable names in craft beer,” said Gacioch. “They’re finding ways to stay relevant and grow, even as competition intensifies.”
For more data and insights, visit www.BrewersAssociation.org.
The Top 2024 Craft Brewers by Sales Volume
1. D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc. Pottsville – PA
2. Boston Beer Co – Boston – MA
3. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co – Chico – CA
4. Tilray Beer Brands – New York – NY
5. Duvel Moortgat USA – Cooperstown – NY
6. Gambrinus – Shiner – TX
7. Matt Brewing Co – Utica – NY
8. Athletic Brewing Company – Milford – CT
9. Brooklyn Brewery – Brooklyn – NY
10. Monster Brewing – Longmont – CO
11. Deschutes Brewery – Bend – OR
12. New Glarus Brewing Co – New Glarus – WI
13. Barrel One Collective – Boston – MA
14. Georgetown Brewing Co – Seattle – WA
15. Gordon Biersch Brewing Co – San Jose – CA
16. Rhinegeist Brewery – Cincinnati – OH
17. Craft ‘Ohana (Maui/Modern Times) – Kihei – HI
18. Great Lakes Brewing Company – Cleveland – OH
19. Narragansett Brewing Co – Pawtucket – RI
20. Tröegs Brewing Co – Hershey – PA
21. Allagash Brewing Company – Portland – ME
22. August Schell Brewing Company – New Ulm – MN
23. Fiddlehead Brewing – Shelburne – VT
24. Stevens Point Brewery – Stevens Point – WI
25. Pittsburgh Brewing Co – Pittsburgh – PA
26. Three Floyds Brewing – Munster – IN
27. Odell Brewing Co – Fort Collins – CO
28. Great Frontier Holdings – Eugene – OR
29. Abita Brewing Co – Covington – LA
30. BrewDog Brewing Co – Canal Winchester – OH
31. Creature Comforts Brewing Co. – Athens – GA
32. Hendler Family Brewing Company – Framingham – MA
33. Alaskan Brewing Co. – Juneau – AK
34. Summit Brewing Co – St. Paul – MN
35. Saint Arnold Brewing Co – Houston – TX
36. Revolution Brewing – Chicago – IL
37. Kona Brewing Hawaii – Kailua-Kona – HI
38. Pizza Port – Carlsbad – CA
39. Surly Brewing Company – Minneapolis – MN
40. pFriem Family Brewers – Hood River – OR
41. Fremont Brewing – Seattle – WA
42. The Florida Brewery – Auburndale – FL
43. BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. – Huntington Beach – CA
44. Russian River Brewing Co – Santa Rosa – CA
45. Shipyard Brewing Co – Portland – ME
46. New Trail Brewing Company – Williamsport – PA
47. Zero Gravity Craft Brewery – Burlington – VT
48. Fat Head’s Brewery – Middleburg Heights – OH
49. Drake’s Brewing Co./Bear Republic – San Leandro – CA
50. Rogue Ales Brewery – Newport – OR