(NEXSTAR) – Did you open a cold one last year? Chances are, if you did, it was from a small independent craft brewer.
Last year alone, these craft brewers produced nearly 25 million barrels of beer, according to a new report from the Brewers Associationthe trade association that represents small independent craft brewers in the United States
“Craft brewer sales rebounded in 2021, boosted by the return of draft and brew beer traffic,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “However, the mixed performance across business models and geographies – along with production levels that still lag behind 2019 – suggest that many breweries remain in recovery mode. Add to that the ongoing supply chain and pricing challenges, and 2022 will be a critical year for many brewers. »
Last year also saw a record number of craft breweries in operation at 9,118.
The Brewers Association has released a list of the 50 craft breweries, as well as all breweries in the United States, with the highest volume of beer sales.
DG Yuengling and Son Inc., based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, landed in the top spot for best-selling craft breweries. The company, the oldest operating in the United States, is well known for its Yuengling Lager and even offers a Hershey’s Chocolate Carrier in autumn.
Came in second place Boston Beer Co. with locations in Boston and Milton, Delaware. If you’re a beer drinker, you’ve probably heard of their Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head brands. The company is also responsible for Truly Hard Seltzer and Angry Orchard Hard Cider.
California-based breweries occupied the majority of the top ten breweries, including Sierra Nevada Brewing, Duvel Moortgat, Gambrinus, and Stone Brewing.
Here are the top 10 craft breweries of 2021:
- CEO Yuengling and Son Inc. (Pottsville, Pennsylvania)
- Boston Beer Co., Boston (Boston and Milton, DE)
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, CA)
- Duvel Moortgat USA (Paso Robles, CA; Kansas City, MO; Cooperstown, NY)
- Gambrinus (Berkeley, CA and Shiner, TX)
- Bell’s Brewery, Inc. (Comstock, MI)
- CANarchy (Longmont, CO; Tampa, FL; Salt Lake City; Dallas)
- Craft brewing companies (Downington, PA; Lakewood, NY; Brooklyn)
- Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA)
- SweetWater Brewing Co. (Atlanta)
With 10 craft breweries on the list, California had the largest presence of any state on the top 50 list. New York was the closest behind with four. Several other states — Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin — each had three.
Below are the other top-selling craft brews, courtesy of Brewers Association:
| Company | Location |
| Deschutes Brewery | Fold, OR |
| New Glarus Brewing Co | New Glarus, WI |
| Brooklyn Brewery | Brooklyn, New York |
| Matt Brewing Co. | Utica, NY |
| Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. | San Jose, California |
| Abita Brewery | Covington, LA |
| Minhas craft brewery | Monroe, Wis. |
| Stevens Point Brewery | Stevens Point, Wis. |
| Great Lakes Brewing Company | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Odell Brewery | Fort Collins, CO |
| Harpoon Brewery | Boston, MA |
| Summit Brewing Co | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Allagash Brewery | Portland, ME |
| Troegs Brewery | Hershey, Pennsylvania |
| Georgetown Brewery | Seattle, WA |
| Three Floyds Brewing | Munster, IN |
| Athletic Brewery | Stratford, Connecticut |
| Rhinegeist Brewery | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Kona Brewing Co. | Kailua Kona, Hawaii |
| August Schell Brewery | New Ulm, MN |
| Alaska Brewery | Juneau, AK |
| Narragansett Brewing Co. | Pawtucket, RI |
| Brewery Rogue Ales | Newport, OR |
| Kings & Convicts Brewing / Ballast Point | San Diego, California |
| Flying Dog Brewery | Frederick, MD |
| Long Trail Brewing Co | Bridgewater Corners, Vermont |
| Lost Coast Brewery | Eureka, California |
| Brewing Revolution | Chicago |
| Surly Brewery | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Ninkasi Brewery | Eugene, OR |
| Creature Comforts Brewing Co | Athens, Georgia |
| 21st Amendment Brewery | Bay Area, California |
| Maui Brewing Co. | Kihei Hi |
| Saint Arnold Brewery | Houston, TX |
| Scofflaw Brewing Co. | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Brewing Co Shipyard | Portland, ME |
| Left Hand Brewery | Longmont, CO |
| Modern day drinks | San Diego, California |
| Brewing Fern Heads | Shelburne, Vermont |
| North Coast Brewing Co Inc. | Fort Bragg, California |
While big brewers like Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors and Heineken saw the most sales in 2021, three of the top craft brewers made the top 10 overall. DG Yuengling and Son, ranked 7th overall, ahead of United Statesthe parent company of Labatt Blue, Genesee Brewing Company, Seagram’s Escapes and other brands.
A total of 40 craft breweries were among the top 50 selling companies in 2021.
A comprehensive list of the best overall beer companies of 2021 can be found here.
