(NEXSTAR) – Did you crack open a cold one last year? There’s a decent chance that, if you did, it was one from a small, independent craft brewer.
Last year alone, those craft brewers produced nearly 25 million barrels of beer, according to a new report from the Brewers Association, the trade association that represents small and independent craft brewers in the U.S.
“Craft brewer sales rebounded in 2021, lifted by the return of draught and at-the-brewery traffic,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “However, the mixed performance across business models and geographies — as well as production levels that still lag 2019 — suggest that many breweries remain in recovery mode. Add in continuing 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 operating at 9,118.
The Brewers Association released a list of the 50 craft breweries, as well as the overall brewing companies in the U.S., that recorded the greatest beer sales volume.
D. G. Yuengling and Son Inc., based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, landed in the top spot for the best-selling craft breweries. The company, the oldest operating in the U.S., is well-known for its Yuengling Lager and even offers a Hershey’s Chocolate Porter in the fall.
Coming in second was the Boston Beer Co. with locations in Boston and Milton, Delaware. If you’re a beer drinker, you’ve likely heard of their brands Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head. The company is also responsible for Truly Hard Seltzer and Angry Orchard Hard Cider.
Breweries with locations in California occupied the majority of the top ten most popular breweries, including Sierra Nevada Brewing, Duvel Moortgat, Gambrinus, and Stone Brewing.
Here are the top 10 craft breweries of 2021:
D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc. (Pottsville, PA)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)Artisanal Brewing Ventures (Downington, PA; Lakewood, NY; Brooklyn)Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA)SweetWater Brewing Co. (Atlanta)
With 10 craft breweries on the list, California had the greatest presence of any state on the top 50 list. New York was closest behind with four. Multiple other states – Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin – each had three.
Below are the other top-selling craft breweries, courtesy of the Brewers Association:
CompanyLocationDeschutes BreweryBend, ORNew Glarus Brewing CoNew Glarus, WIBrooklyn BreweryBrooklyn, NYMatt Brewing CoUtica, NYGordon Biersch Brewing CoSan Jose, CAAbita Brewing CoCovington, LAMinhas Craft BreweryMonroe, WIStevens Point BreweryStevens Point, WIGreat Lakes Brewing CompanyCleveland, OHOdell Brewing CoFort Collins, COHarpoon BreweryBoston, MASummit Brewing CoSaint Paul, MNAllagash Brewing CompanyPortland, METroegs Brewing CoHershey, PAGeorgetown Brewing CoSeattle, WAThree Floyds BrewingMunster, INAthletic Brewing CompanyStratford, CTRhinegeist BreweryCincinnati, OHKona Brewing CoKailua-Kona, HIAugust Schell Brewing CompanyNew Ulm, MNAlaskan Brewing CoJuneau, AKNarragansett Brewing CoPawtucket, RIRogue Ales BreweryNewport, ORKings & Convicts Brewing/Ballast PointSan Diego, CAFlying Dog BreweryFrederick, MDLong Trail Brewing CoBridgewater Corners, VT Lost Coast BreweryEureka, CARevolution BrewingChicagoSurly Brewing CompanyMinneapolis, MN Ninkasi Brewing CoEugene, ORCreature Comforts Brewing CoAthens, GA21st Amendment BreweryBay Area, CAMaui Brewing CoKihei, HISaint Arnold Brewing CoHouston, TXScofflaw Brewing CoAtlanta, GAShipyard Brewing CoPortland, ME Left Hand Brewing CompanyLongmont, CO Modern Times DrinksSan Diego, CAFiddlehead BrewingShelburne, VTNorth Coast Brewing Co IncFort Bragg, CA
While larger brewing companies like Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors, and Heineken reported the most sales in 2021, three of the top craft brewers ranked among the top 10 overall. D.G. Yuengling and Son, ranked 7th overall, edging out FIFCO USA, the parent company of Labatt Blue, Genesee Brewing Company, Seagram’s Escapes, and other brands.
In total, 40 craft breweries were among the top 50 selling companies of 2021.
A full list of the top overall brewing companies of 2021 can be found here.