The Brewers Association (BA), the trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers, released 2015 data on U.S. craft brewing growth. With more breweries than even before, small and independent craft brewers now represent 12 percent market share of the overall beer industry.
In 2015, craft brewers produced 24.5 million bbls and saw a 13 percent rise in volume and a 16 percent increase in retail dollar value. Retail dollar value was estimated at $22.3 billion, representing 21 percent market share.
“For the past decade, craft brewers have charged into the market, seeing double digit growth for eight of those years,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “There are still a lot of opportunities and areas for additional growth. An important focus will remain on quality as small and independent brewers continue to lead the local, full-flavored beer movement.”
RELATED: Why Blue Moon’s new marketing campaign helps the craft beer industry
Additionally, in 2015 the number of operating breweries in the U.S. grew 15 percent, totaling 4,269 breweries — the most at any time in American history. Small and independent breweries account for 99 percent of the breweries in operation, broken down as follows: 2,397 microbreweries, 1,650 brewpubs and 178 regional craft breweries.
Throughout the year, there were 620 new brewery openings and only 68 closings, which is an uptick from closings in prior years.
One of the fastest growing regions was the South, where four states — Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Texas — each saw a net increase of more than 20 breweries, establishing a strong base for future growth in the region.
Combined with already existing and established breweries and brewpubs, craft brewers provided nearly 122,000 jobs, an increase of more than 6,000 from the previous year.
“Small and independent brewers are a beacon for beer and our economy,” added Watson. “As breweries continue to open and volume increases, there is a strong need for workers to fill a whole host of positions at these small and growing businesses.”
singvongsa_k says
RT @BevvShop: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/SrExVJINP8 #craftbeer #marketshare #beer https://t.co/dxt8…
btvjim says
RT @BevvShop: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/SrExVJINP8 #craftbeer #marketshare #beer https://t.co/dxt8…
DrinkMRD says
RT @BevvShop: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/SrExVJINP8 #craftbeer #marketshare #beer https://t.co/dxt8…
BevvShop says
Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/SrExVJINP8 #craftbeer #marketshare #beer https://t.co/dxt8RDEo1D
redflagdan says
Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/LluzvnkPFR #craftbeer
Garrettlawton says
RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer, and other numbers from @BrewersAssoc https://t.co/p9U3Ec4umg
SunKingDavid says
Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/AnmEX6eZyC
Salvatore Hall says
Salvatore Hall liked this on Facebook.
wryan1618 says
Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/eLTF3YSgPI #beer #feedly
Art Smith says
Art Smith liked this on Facebook.
Todd Parker says
Todd Parker liked this on Facebook.
BeerzHerez says
RT @crsimp01: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/Woz8YsDGUS via @craftbrewingbiz
crsimp01 says
Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer https://t.co/Woz8YsDGUS via @craftbrewingbiz
Beall Brewery Insurance says
Beall Brewery Insurance liked this on Facebook.
Serge Lubomudrov says
Serge Lubomudrov liked this on Facebook.
singvongsa_k says
RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer, and other numbers from @BrewersAssoc https://t.co/p9U3Ec4umg
Joshua Bennett says
Joshua Bennett liked this on Facebook.
Beth Demmon Ivey says
Beth Demmon Ivey liked this on Facebook.
drinkitintern says
RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer, and other numbers from @BrewersAssoc https://t.co/p9U3Ec4umg
Nate Underwood says
Nate Underwood liked this on Facebook.
lambrewing says
https://t.co/L5LJAvWXnl
KalispellBrew says
RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft beer market share hits 12 percent of total beer, and other numbers from @BrewersAssoc https://t.co/p9U3Ec4umg