25 MUST-SEE Brewery Statistics [Infographic]

brewery statistics
Joe | Last Updated: October 29, 2023
I'm Joe, a veteran bartender with over a decade in the industry and a burning passion for mixing drinks.

If you’ve ever found yourself pondering over a pint, curious about the inner workings of the brewery world, you’re in for a treat.

Today, we’re tapping into the frothy world of breweries, pouring over facts and figures that are as intriguing as a well-crafted IPA.

From the historical hops of the industry’s past to the bubbly trends of today’s craft beer craze, I’ve compiled a list of 25 must-see brewery statistics that will quench your thirst for knowledge and perhaps, leave you craving a cold one.

So whether you’re a homebrew hobbyist, a craft beer connoisseur, or just a lover of a good ale, this post is brewed just for you.

Let’s get into it…

Key takeaways:
1. In 1978, the number of breweries was particularly poor with a count being less than 100.
2. The TTB reported 13,380 breweries in the U.S. at the end of 2021, which is an all-time high.
3. Employment in breweries increased from 2010 to 2016, with the industry adding 33,716 jobs, a 135-percent increase.
4. Vermont was the state with the most breweries per capita in 2022, with 15.6 breweries per 100,000 adults, putting it ahead of other leading states like Maine and Montana.
5. The craft beer industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Between 2008 and 2016, the number of brewery establishments in the U.S. expanded by a factor of six, and the number of brewery workers grew by 120%.

Contents show

Key Brewery Statistics

These brewery statistics delve into the core numbers shaping the brewery industry, offering a historical perspective and highlighting recent trends.

The U.S. brewery landscape has undergone significant transformation, from a peak of over 4,000 breweries in 1873 to a drastic decline, and a slow resurgence in the latter half of the 20th century.

Today, the industry is experiencing robust growth, with a notable increase in the number of breweries from 1976 to 2021.

We also explore the varying number of breweries across states and the dynamics of market share among major brewers and importers.

This compilation provides a holistic view, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the brewery industry’s evolution and current state.

  1. The U.S. had 4,144 breweries in 1873, a number that fell drastically by the middle of the 20th century. However, after Prohibition, the brewery count grew extremely slowly, and as recently as the 1970s, the country had fewer than 100 functional breweries. In 1978, the number of breweries was particularly poor with the count being less than 100.
  2. The number of breweries in the U.S. has been increasing in recent years.
  3. The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) provides beer statistics based on industry data submitted on the Brewer’s Report of Operations and the Quarterly Brewer’s Report of Operations.
  4. The TTB reported 13,380 breweries in the U.S. at the end of 2021, which is an all-time high. Note that not all breweries are open and/or operational.
  5. The market share of brewers and importers has changed significantly over the past ten years. Since 2011, the top two brewers have lost market share while the share of the top 10 brewers has remained relatively stable.
  6. The craft brewing industry is in a constant state of evolution. Over recent years, the craft beer sector has experienced rapid growth, and this trajectory is expected to continue. According to a report from PorchDrinking, 76% of craft brewers are positive about sales growth in 2022.
  7. Almost a quarter of U.S. breweries are classified as brewpubs, which mostly brew beer for direct-to-consumer sale at brewery-restaurant premises. Brewpubs typically brew less than 1,000 barrels (31,000 gallons) of beer per year, though larger chains have emerged around the country.

>> Read more: 41 Super INTERESTING Beer Statistics

Brewery Employment & Economic Impact

The brewery industry is a substantial contributor to employment and economic growth.

From 2010 to 2016, the industry added 33,716 jobs, marking a 135-percent increase. The economic impact of craft breweries is particularly significant, contributing billions to the U.S. economy.

We examine the state-wise distribution of craft beer sales and production, highlighting the industry’s broad reach and influence.

This section underscores the brewery industry’s role not just as a producer of cherished beverages, but also as a major player in the nation’s economic landscape.

  1. Employment in breweries increased from 2010 to 2016, with the industry adding 33,716 jobs, a 135-percent increase.
  2. The latest figures, for 2021, reveal a more subdued but still healthy rate of growth: “Overall U.S. beer volume sales were up 1% in 2021, while craft brewer volume sales grew 8%, raising small and independent brewers’ share of the U.S. beer market by volume to 13.1%”.
  3. The same report showed that craft beer dollars grew by 21% over 2020.
  4. The number of breweries in the United States has reached an all-time high, with 13,380 breweries reported by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) at the end of 2021. This number includes both open and operational breweries, as well as those that have submitted new brewery notices.
  5. Some states now have more breweries than the entire country had in 1990.
  6. The number of breweries in the United States has experienced a significant boom in recent years. In 1983, there were only 49 breweries in the country, while at the end of 2021, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) reported a record-high of 13,380 breweries.

>> Read more: 41 Bartender Statistics That Will ASTONISH You

Craft Beer & Market Share

Craft beer holds a special place in the brewery industry, characterized by diversity, innovation, and a strong community of small and independent brewers.

This section delves into the craft beer scene, exploring its sales, production, and market share. We discuss challenges and growth, providing insights into the brewery count, production volumes, and the economic challenges faced in recent years.

The statistics reveal a vibrant and resilient segment of the industry, with craft brewers making significant strides in market presence and sales.

  1. The Brewers Association’s midyear report for 2020 showed that the U.S. beer scene was facing an unprecedented challenge, with volumes declining 10% during the first six months of the year compared to 2019 while the brewery count grew by 737.
  2. In 2021, there were 6,631 reporting brewery facilities/locations in the U.S., with 225 new reporting brewers compared to 2020.
  3. The 240 breweries that reported zero production and “taxable removals” typically produced beer under contract with another brewer.
  4. The number of operating craft breweries in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 9,118 in 2021, including 1,886 microbreweries, 3,307 brewpubs, 3,702 taproom breweries, and 223 regional craft breweries.
  5. Vermont was the state with the most breweries per capita in 2022, with 15.6 breweries per 100,000 adults, putting it ahead of other leading states like Maine and Montana.
  6. The craft beer industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Between 2008 and 2016, the number of brewery establishments in the U.S. expanded by a factor of six, and the number of brewery workers grew by 120%.

>> Read more: 45 MUST-KNOW Wine Statistics

Brewery Production and Operations

Understanding the operational side of breweries offers insight into production scales, facility distribution, and industry trends.

In this section, we explore various facets of brewery operations, from production volumes and capacity to the distribution of brewery facilities across different scales.

brewery stats
Photo by Daniel Vogel

The statistics highlight the diversity within the industry, with a mix of small-scale breweries and larger operations, each playing a unique role in the brewery ecosystem.

This section provides a comprehensive look at the nuts and bolts of brewery production and operations.

  1. In 2021, more than 90% of all U.S. breweries made fewer than 15,000 barrels (465,000 gallons) and accounted for about 3% of total volume. The 240 breweries that reported zero production and “taxable removals” typically produced beer under contract with another brewer.
  2. Slovenia has also seen a growth in demand for craft beer and the proliferation of microbreweries.
  3. Craft brewers in the United States collectively produced 24.8 million barrels of beer in 2021, realizing 8% growth and increasing craft’s overall beer market share by volume to 13.1%.
  4. The total operating brewery count in the U.S. was 9,247 in 2021, up from 9,025 in 2020.
  5. Craft brewers provided 189,413 direct jobs in 2022, a 9% increase from the previous year, driven both by growth in the number of breweries and a continued shift to local beer.
  6. The Brewers Association’s annual craft brewing industry production report for 2022 showed that craft brewers produced 24.8 million barrels of beer in 2021, realizing 8% growth and increasing craft’s overall beer market share by volume to 13.1%, up from 12.2% the previous year.

>> Read more: 47 MUST-SEE Cocktail Trends & Statistics

Sources:

  1. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  2. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  3. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  4. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  5. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  6. https://www.porchdrinking.com/
  7. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  8. https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2017/industry-on-tap-breweries/home.htm
  9. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  10. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  11. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  12. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  13. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  14. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  15. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  16. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  17. https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/4/5/how-is-the-beer-industry-doing
  18. https://nbwa.org/resources/fast-facts/
  19. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/craft-beer-industry/550850/
  20. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/craft-beer-industry/550850/
  21. https://www.mdpi.com/
  22. https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/4/5/how-is-the-beer-industry-doing
  23. https://www.statista.com/chart/10280/americas-brewery-boom/
  24. https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/brewers-association-releases-annual-craft-brewing-industry-production-report-and-top-50-producing-craft-brewing-companies-for-2022/
  25. https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/4/5/how-is-the-beer-industry-doing