Top 50 Producing Craft Brewing Companies for 2022
The Brewers Association has unveiled its 2022 Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies and Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies. These production numbers in 2022 show that small and independent brewers collectively produced 24.3 million barrels of beer, on par with 2021’s numbers3. Craft’s overall beer market share by volume grew to 13.2%, up from 13.1% in 2021.
This growth in what the Brewers Association defines as craft beer did not help propel the growth in the overall beer market as it contracted 3% by volume in 2022. Retail dollar value was estimated at $28.46 billion, representing a 24.6% market share and 6% growth over 2021. Sales growth was stronger than volume due to pricing, share shift to smaller brewers—who are more likely to sell onsite and via distributed draught—as well as the continued channel shift back to on-premise, which has a higher average retail value.
In 2022, craft brewers provided 189,413 direct jobs, a 9% increase from 2021. This was driven both by growth in the number of breweries and a continued shift to hospitality-focused business models.
“2022 presented small brewers with a number of challenges, including rising operating and material costs and increasing competition, particularly in distribution,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association, in a statement. “In this maturing and competitive market, collective growth for the category is hard to come by.”
The number of operating craft breweries continued to climb in 2022, reaching an all-time high of 9,552, including 2,035 microbreweries, 3,418 brewpubs, 3,838 taproom breweries, and 261 regional craft breweries. The total U.S. operating brewery count was 9,709, up from 9,384 in 2021. Throughout the year, there were 549 new brewery openings and 319 closings. Openings decreased for a second consecutive year, with the continued decline reflecting a more mature market. The closing rate increased in 2022 but continued to remain relatively low, at approximately 3%.
“The relatively low closure rate reflects both the solid demand for fuller flavored local beer as well as the versatility and flexibility of small brewers,” added Watson.
In addition, the Brewers Association also released its annual list of the top 50 producing craft brewing companies and overall brewing companies in the U.S., based on beer sales volume. Of the top 50 overall brewing companies in 2022, 40 were small and independent craft brewing companies.4
In this year’s list, Bell’s Brewery from Michigan that held the #6 position in 2021 was not included due to its sale to New Belgium Brewing that is owned by Lion in late 2021. In next year’s list, Stone Brewing that sits at #7 on this year’s list will not be included due to its sale to Sapporo.
“Breweries that managed to move up the list organically are often those that are adding incremental growth to the category,” said Watson. “Both beer and craft need to create new occasions and new beer lovers to find growth.”
In the Pacific Northwest, the region has five breweries make it in the Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies. Deschutes Brewery sits at #11, Georgetown Brewing at #21, Alaskan Brewing at #32, Rogue Ales at #41, and Ninkasi Brewing at #43.
When it comes to the Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies there are two Pacific Northwest breweries. Deschutes Brewery arrives at #21 and Alaskan Brewing at #42.
Here’s a rundown on both the Top 50 Craft and Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies.
Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies
Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies
Note: Numbers are preliminary. For additional insights from Bart Watson, visit Insights & Analysis Opens in new window on the Brewers Association website. The full 2022 industry analysis will be published in the May/June 2023 issue of The New Brewer®, highlighting regional trends and production by individual breweries.
* Does not include FMBs/FSBs. With those included, total taxed-as-beer products decreased 4%.
1 An American craft brewer is a small and independent brewer. Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3% of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer. Brewer: Has a TTB Brewer’s Notice and makes beer.
2 Absolute figures reflect the dynamic craft brewer data set as specified by the craft brewer definition. Growth numbers are presented on a comparable basis. See full methodology.
3 Volume by craft brewers represents total taxable production.
4 Figure based on companies that met the craft brewer definition for all or part of 2022.
View a list of brands included under the companies in the overall brewing category
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About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
The Brewers Association list, though welcome, is severely tainted by internal politics — and let’s be honest, big lobbying $$$. First, Jim Koch served on the BA board for many years, and helped create the updated ‘craft brewing’ guidelines that allowed Boston Beer to continue to be defined as a ‘craft brewer,’ rather than the outsized conglomerate they actually are.
As well, the BA craft definition absurdly allows other holding companies to be called craft brewers. Of the Top 10 alone, this includes Duvel Moortgat USA (Ommegang, Boulevard, Firestone Walker et al); Gambrinus (Shiner, Trumer); Artisanal Brewing Ventures (Victory, Southern Tier, Sixpoint); CANarchy (Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Wasatch, Squatters, Deep Ellum); and Tilray Beer Brands (Sweetwater, Breen Flash, Alpine, Montauk).
Not to mention, including regional industrial brewer Yuengling as ‘craft’ is equally absurd, and borderline corrupt. And… Stone Brewing was sold to Japanese giant Sapporo in mid-2022, yet still appears on the list due to some bizarre sleight of hand.
So, looking at actual independent craft breweries, Deschutes is 3rd, behind only Sierra Nevada & Brooklyn Brewery. Perhaps most amazing of all is New Glarus (that only sells in Wisconsin, the state that practically invented drinking) at #4.
Thank you, Phil. Your comment reflects more honesty and analysis than the whole article. All of those thoughts were pouring through my mind as read the article and questioned how on earth some of these companies were labeled as craft breweries.
Everything is perspective. We are inundated by people without a job and many of them write an opinion as though experts. I guarantee this expert has never tasted the craft beer I drink, and never will. Feel superior if you must, there’s much you know nothing about.
Kona Brewing is an AB Craft holding. How is it on this list?