1942
The Small Brewers Committee, a precursor to the Brewers Association of America first meets at Palmer House in Chicago to discuss raw materials supply and other common issues of small brewers. One early issue the committee fought for was supplies of tin for crowns to seal beer bottles.
1976
The Brewers Association of America secures a small brewers tax differential on the first 60,000 barrels for brewers under 2 million barrels per year.
1978
Charlie Papazian and Charlie Matzen form the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) in Boulder, Colo., with the publication of the first issue of Zymurgy magazine, announcing the new organization, publicizing the federal legalization of homebrewing and calling for entries in the first AHA National Homebrew Competition.
1982
The Great American Beer Festival® debuts at the Harvest House in Boulder, Colo.
1983
The first issue of The New Brewer is published.
1983
The Association of Brewers is organized to include the American Homebrewers Association and the Institute for Brewing and Fermentation Studies to assist the emerging microbrewery movement in the U.S.
1984
The first Micro-Brewers Conference is held in Boulder, Colo. The conference will later be renamed the Craft Brewers Conference®. (Source)
1996
The first biennial World Beer Cup® competition is held in Vail, Colo.
2005
The Association of Brewers and the Brewers’ Association of America merge to form the Brewers Association.
2008
SAVOR debuts as the nation’s leading craft beer and food pairing event.
2009
1,595 American craft brewers produce just under 9.1 million barrels of beer, as craft brewers continue steady growth and beer drinkers turn toward more flavorful craft-brewed beers from small and independent breweries.
2011
Excise tax recalibration companion bills S. 534 and H.R. 1236 are introduced to Congress. The number of operating U.S. brewery climbs to 1,989 for the calendar year.
2012
Brewers Association history is summarized by Brewers Association Board of Directors and staff.
2013
Craft brewers’ economic contribution reaches $34 billion.
2016
U.S. brewery count reaches historic high of 5,000, contributing $67.8 billion to the U.S. economy and more than 456,000 jobs.
2017
The independent craft brewer seal makes its debut. The mark aims to promote beer made by small and independent craft brewers.
2017
The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act is signed into law, reducing federal excise taxes for U.S. craft brewers for a two-year period.
2018
More than 3,000 brewing companies sign up to use the independent craft brewer seal.
2019
After 40 years of shepherding the homebrewing and craft brewing movements, Brewers Association founder Charlie Papazian exits the association. “I had a playful vision that there would be a homebrewer in every neighborhood and a brewery in every town. But what I did not imagine, couldn’t imagine, never considered, was the impact that craft brewing would have on our culture, economy, and American life,” said Charlie.
2019
Non-alcohol beer categories are added to the Great American Beer Festival competition.
2020
Provisions of Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act are made permanent. In a historic win for small and independent craft brewers, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act includes permanent reductions to federal excise taxes for craft brewers. The recalibration had been a top priority for the Brewers Association since 2009.
2020
Total brewery count in the U.S. surpasses 9,000.
2022
The Great American Beer Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2022
The World Beer Cup becomes an annual competition and non-alcohol beer categories are added to its beer style guidelines.
2023
Non-beer beverages, including cider, mead, hard seltzer, and kombucha, are poured at the Great American Beer Festival for the first time.
2024
Cider categories are added to the Great American Beer Festival competition.
2024
The Craft Brewers Conference celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2025
Bart Watson is named president and CEO of the Brewers Association. Taking the reins from Bob Pease after his retirement, Bart is selected by the board after conducting a national search. “I am honored to be chosen to lead the Brewers Association, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by the leaders before me,” said Bart.
2025
The American Homebrewers Association files for 501(c)3 status and becomes an independent organization.
2025
Cider categories are added to the World Beer Cup competition.
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