17 June 2014 - Best Beer HQ

News: US craft beer sales climb 20%

US craft beer

Craft beer sales in the United States of America have surged by 20% to an estimated $14.3 billion in 2013, according to the Brewers Association.

Craft beer’s share of the total US beer market climbed to more than 14% last year, as craft brewers produced nearly 8% more beer than the year before. That is despite total beer production in the US falling by 1.4%.

The number of craft breweries in the US also continues to grow. There were 2,768 operating in the United States in 2013 – up from around 2,300 the year before.

Brewers Association staff economist Bart Watson said craft beer in the US has now averaged 10.9% growth over the past decade. He added: “Beer drinkers are excited about what small and independent breweries are offering, and that is evidenced by the rising production and sales of the craft segment.”

Boston Beer Company remains the largest craft brewery in the US. The brewer of Samuel Adams beers shipped about 3.4 million barrels in 2013 – a 25% increase on 2012.

Boston Beer founder Jim Koch told USA Today: “We’ve seen the craft beer drinker evolve from novice to tastemaker. Today’s drinkers have a global palate and are coming to expect more interesting and in-depth flavours from brewers.”

Brewing companies Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Gambrinus and Lagunitas round out the top five craft breweries in the US. The biggest gainers were Ballast Point Brewing Company, which moved up 17 places to 29th, and Southern Tier Brewing Company, up six places to finish at 31 on the top 50.

See the full list of the top 50 craft breweries in the US for 2013.

Craft Beer / News USA /