Mark your calendar: The 15th annual American Craft Beer Week is May 10-16

The 15^th annual American Craft Beer Week, hosted by the Brewers Association, will be celebrated by beer lovers and breweries nationwide May 10-16, 2021. As COVID-19 restrictions ease and breweries across the country reopen their doors, the week-long holiday encourages beer lovers to visit their local taprooms, brewpubs and breweries to purchase beer and food — whether for on-premise enjoyment, to-go or delivery.

Following a tumultuous year, this year’s holiday honors the creativity, community, and resiliency of America’s small and independent craft breweries. As loyal community supporters, many craft breweries responded quickly to the pandemic by producing hand sanitizer for local first responders and collaborating to raise funds for frontline, restaurant, and hospitality workers. U.S. craft breweries are community gathering places and job creators as well — providing more than 138,000 direct full and part-time jobs¹ in 2020.

“America’s small and independent craft breweries have faced many hardships over the past year,” said Ann Obenchain, marketing director of the Brewers Association. “When COVID-19 hit, many breweries were forced to change their entire business models overnight. Fast forward to 2021, and we are finally able to envision gathering with friends and family at local breweries again, now or in the near future. This year’s American Craft Beer Week, more than ever, is about more than just delicious craft beer; it’s about community and showing support for hometown taprooms, brewpubs, and breweries.”

With 85 percent of legal drinking age adults living within 10 miles of a brewery, almost every American has a local brewery they can support. Consumers can look for the Independent Craft Brewer Seal as a way to help identify beer brewed by small and independent brewers.

Breweries nationwide will be celebrating with new beer releases, discounts, and other creative ideas. Use this map to find a local independent craft brewery to support American Craft Beer Week.

¹Brewers Association 2020 Beer Industry Production Survey