Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There were 9,761 craft breweries operating at the end of 2023, including 2,092 microbreweries, 3,502 brewpubs, 3,910 taproom breweries, and 257 regional craft breweries. Throughout the year, there were 492 new brewery openings and 405 closings.
Find more industry figures in the Stats and Data section.
In 2023, small and independent brewers collectively produced 22.9 million barrels of beer. Because the overall beer market declined ~5.1%, craft’s overall beer market share by volume declined slightly, at -1%.
Read the latest statistics press release.
Consult the State Stats page to learn more. State statistics are now updated through the end of 2021.
An American craft brewer is a small and independent brewer. Learn more about the craft brewer definition and the different market segments in the craft beer industry.
In 2023, the retail dollar value of craft beer was estimated at $28.9 billion, representing 13.3% market share.
Read more about the overall industry trends.
National Statistics
Sales Data

Production Data

Contact:
Press inquiries: Identify the Brewers Association (BA) media contact whose area of expertise matches your inquiry.
Questions about industry statistics? Feel free to contact the BA’s staff economist, Matt Gacioch.
Media Contacts
The Brewers Association has staff experts that are available to the media to help with your story. Please visit the Statistics section of this website prior to setting up your media call.
Please email Jessie Vandenhouten or call 970-963-4873 x 1220 to set up a meeting with one of our spokespersons.

Matt Gacioch, Staff Economist
Matt Gacioch (he/him), staff economist for the Brewers Association, helps members make sense of the data that enable their businesses to thrive. He brings experience from market analytics, brewery operations, and consulting, along with an MBA, MS, and BS from the University of Michigan. Email Matt and follow him on Instagram @craft_econ.
Areas of expertise: Statistics, Consumer Trends

Ann Obenchain, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Ann develops and leads the strategic direction of all BA marketing and communications activities, including key events such as the Great American Beer Festival. Ann serves as spokesperson with the media for BA events, including Great American Beer Festival, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, World Beer Cup, Homebrew Con, and SAVOR. Email Ann and follow her on Twitter @AnnObenchain.
Areas of expertise: Event statistics and trends, general BA information
Read Ann’s marketing tips in her bi-monthly column in The New Brewer
Agency Contacts

General Media & Stock Image Inquiries
Email Jessie Vandenhouten or call 970.963.4873 x1220

Legislative Public Affairs Inquiries
Email Ann Obenchain or 720.473.5341
Media Library
The Brewers Association is pleased to offer a wide variety of images to qualified journalists. Please contact Jessie Vandenhouten with your needs. Your request will be processed within two business days. If you are on an immediate deadline, please indicate that in your initial request.

Event Images
Please visit these event websites for hi-resolution images.
Great American Beer Festival
Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America
World Beer Cup
Press Inquiries
Identify the BA Media Contact whose area of expertise matches your inquiry. Or, if you’ve worked with a BA spokesperson before, feel free to contact them directly.
Media Application
Members of the media that are not already receiving information from the Brewers Association (BA) are invited to apply to be added to our media list. Throughout the year the BA disseminates a series of releases on the association news, and small and independent craft brewers.
By filling out this form you are applying to receive BA press releases as a journalist who covers beer. If you are not a media representative please do not apply.
Awards

Since 1987, the Brewers Association has recognized individuals who inspire, defend, and innovate within the craft brewing industry.
In addition to the Industry Awards, the BA conducts two prestigious national and international brewing competitions.
Brewing Competitions
Great American Beer Festival
World Beer Cup
Industry Awards
Brewers Association Recognition Award
The Brewers Association Recognition Award is presented each year to an individual or company whose inspiration, enthusiasm and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement

John Pinkerton, Moon River Brewing Co. (Savannah, Ga.)
Recipients
- 2024 – John Pinkerton, Moon River Brewing Co.
- 2023 – Jessica and Richard Fierro, Atrevida Beer Co.
- 2022 – Steve Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery
- 2021 – John Mallett, Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
- 2020 – Oscar Wong, Highland Brewing Co.
- 2019 – Kim Jordan, New Belgium Brewing Company
- 2018 – Charles Bamforth, UC Davis
- 2017 – Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Co.
- 2016 – Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Brewery
- 2015 – Dave and Diane Alexander, Brickskeller
- 2014 – Teri Fahrendorf, Founder of Pink Boots Society
- 2013 – Art Larrance, Cascade Brewing/Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub
- 2012 – Doug Odell, Wynne Odell and Corkie Odell, Odell Brewing Co.
- 2011 – John McDonald, Boulevard Brewing Co.
- 2010 – Larry Bell, Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
- 2009 – Ken Allen, Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
- 2008 – Dr. Michael Lewis, U.C. Davis
- 2007 – Jack McAuliffe, New Albion Brewing Co.
- 2006 – Chuck Skypeck, Boscos Brewing Co.
- 2005 – Carol Stoudt, Stoudts Brewing Company
- 2004 – Jack Joyce, Rogue Ales
- 2003 – Mary-Anne Gruber, Briess Malting Co.
- 2002 – George Fix, Clemson University
- 2001 – Jim and Bobbie Kennedy, Admiralty Beverage Russell
- 2000 – Ralph Olson and Ralph Woodall, Hopunion CBS, LLC
- 1999 – Bill Owens, American Brewer Magazine
- 1998 – Charles Finkel, Merchant du Vin
- 1997 – Jim Koch and Rhonda Kallman, Boston Beer Co.
- 1996 – Karl Strauss, Karl M. Strauss Consulting
- 1995 – John Hickenlooper and Russell Schehrer, Wynkoop Brewing Co.
- 1994 – Fred Scheer, Frankenmuth Brewery
- 1993 – Jeff Mendel, Institute for Brewing Studies
- 1992 – Paul Shipman, Red Hook Ale Brewery
- 1991 – Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- 1990 – Bert Grant, Yakima Brewing and Malting
- 1989 – Roger Briess, Briess Malting Co.
- 1988 – Fritz Maytag, Anchor Brewing Co.
- 1987 – Michael Jackson
Nominations
Nominations for the Brewers Association Recognition Award are accepted on a rolling basis by completing this form.
F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award
This award is named for the late F.X. Matt, president of the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. in Utica, N.Y., from 1980-1989, and a tireless and outspoken champion for the small brewing industry.

Eric Orlando, The Zita Group, and the Brewers Guild of New Jersey
Recipients
- 2024 – Eric Orlando, The Zita Group, and the Brewers Guild of New Jersey
- 2023 – Ret. Representative Peter DeFazio
- 2022 – Sam Hendler, Jack’s Abby
- 2021 – Pamela Brulotte, Icicle Brewing Co.
- 2020 – Adam DeBower, Austin Beerworks
- 2019 – Danielle D’Alessandro, Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
- 2018 – Nancy Palmer, Georgia Craft Brewers Guild
- 2017 – Matt McLaughlin, McLaughlin, PC/Mississippi Brewers Guild
- 2016 – Nick Matt, F.X. Matt Brewing Co.
- 2015 – Brook Bristow, South Carolina Brewers Guild
- 2014 – Jester King Brewery, Austin, Texas
- 2013 – David Katleski, New York State Craft Brewers Guild/Empire Brewing Co
- 2012 – Tom McCormick, California Craft Brewers Association
- 2011 – Dan Kopman,St. Louis Brewery/Schlafly Beer
- 2010 – Steve Hindy, The Brooklyn Brewery
- 2009 – Eric Wallace, Left Hand Brewing Company
- 2008 – John Carlson, Colorado Brewers Guild
- 2007 – George Hancock, Pyramid Brewing Co.
- 2006 – Daniel Bradford, past BAA President
- 2005 – Marc Sorini, McDermott Will & Emery
- 2004 – Marc Sorini, BAA Counsel
- 2003 – Jim Parker, Oregon Brewers Guild
- 2002 – Mike McKinney, Texas Wholesalers Association
- 2001 – David Edgar, Past Institute for Brewing Studies Director
- 2000 – Fred Bowman, Portland Brewing Co.
Nominations
Nominations are open to individuals who have given aid and support to the causes of small, independent brewers, and by doing so have supported the Brewers Association’s goal of vigorously defending the craft beer industry.
Nominations for the F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award are accepted on a rolling basis by completing this form.
Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing
Russell Schehrer was a founding partner and the original head brewer at Denver’s Wynkoop Brewing Company. He passed away in 1996 at the age of 38. While he will always be fondly remembered for his special charm and sense of humor that knew no boundaries, the Brewers Association continues to honor Russell for his contributions to the brewing industry. Besides helping establish the first brewpub in Colorado, he was the first (or one of the first) microbrewers to produce mead, doppel alt, cream stout, and chili beer.

Tonya Cornett, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. (Bend, Ore.)
Recipients
- 2024 – Tonya Cornett, 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
- 2023 – Ben Edmunds, Breakside Brewery
- 2022 – Karl Ockert, Karl Ockert Brewing Services
- 2021 – Steven Pauwels, Boulevard Brewing Co.
- 2020 – Brendan McGivney, Odell Brewing Co.
- 2019 – Lauren Woods Limbach, New Belgium Brewing Company
- 2018 – Tomme Arthur, Port Brewing Co./The Lost Abbey
- 2017 – Will Meyers, Cambridge Brewing Co.
- 2016 – Jason Perkins, Allagash Brewing Co.
- 2015 – Steve Dresler, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- 2014 – Mitch Steele, Stone Brewering Company
- 2013 – Peter Bouckaert, New Belgium Brewing Co.
- 2012 – James Ottolini, St. Louis Brewery, Inc.
- 2011 – Jennifer Talley, Squatters Pub Brewery/Salt Lake Brewing Co.
- 2010 – Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
- 2009 – Steve Parkes, American Brewers Guild
- 2008 – Vinnie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Company
- 2007 – Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker Brewing Company
- 2006 – Dan Carey, New Glarus Brewing Company
- 2005 – Greg Noonan, Vermont Pub and Brewery
- 2004 – Dick Cantwell, Elysian Brewing Company
- 2003 – Phil Markowski, Southampton Publick House
- 2002 – John Mallett, Kalamazoo Brewing Co.
- 2001 – John Harris, Full Sail Brewing Co.
- 2000 – Mark Carpenter, Anchor Brewing Co.
- 1999 – Fal Allen, Pike Brewing; Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
- 1998 – Garrett Oliver, The Brooklyn Brewery
- 1997 – John Maier, Oregon Brewing Co./Rogue Ales
Nominations
Nominations for the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing Award are accepted on a rolling basis by completing this form.
Mentor of the Year
The Brewers Association recognizes a volunteer mentor for their outstanding mentorship and for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to championing those who experience barriers to access and advancement in their professional journeys.

Laura Lodge, owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, LLC
Recipients
- 2024 – Laura Lodge, Customized Craft Beer Programs, LLC
- 2023 – Julie Rhodes, Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions
- 2022 – Annette May, Schoolcraft College Brewing and Distillation Technology, and Ramon Tamayo, Magnolia Brewing Co.
Nominations for the Mentor of the Year Award are submitted by Brewers Association Mentorship Program participants. Please contact Dr. J Jackson-Beckham for more information about this award or to nominate a mentor.
Brewers Association Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year
The Brewers Association (BA) formerly presented the Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year Award. The award recognized an American beer distributor who went above and beyond in their efforts to actively market, sell, and promote beer from small and independent brewers.
Recipients
2017
Elite Brands of Colorado – Denver, CO
2016
Odom Corporation – Coeur d’Alene, ID
From 2007 through 2014, the Brewers Association partnered with the National Beer Wholesalers Association to present the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, Achievement Award and Recognition Award. The history of those award recipients is below:
2014
Winner – J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. – FL
Achievement – Windy City Distributing, LLC – IL
Recognition – Maletis Beverage – OR
2013
Winner – DeCrescente Distributing Company – NY
Achievement – Central States Beverage Company – MO
Recognition – Mussetter Beverage – CA
2012
Winner – Brown Distributing Company – FL
Achievement – DeCrescente Distributing Company – NY
Recognition – Tryon Distributing – NC
2011
Winner – Powers Distributing Company – MI
Achievement – J.J. Taylor Distributing – FL
Recognition – Gretz Beer Company – PA
2010
Winner – Imperial Beverage – MI
Achievement – Andrews Distributing – TX
Recognition – L. Knife & Son – MA
2009
Winner – Origlio Beverage – PA
Achievement – National Distributing Company of New Mexico – NM
Recognition – Muller, Inc. – PA
2008
Winner – Click Wholesale Distributing – WA
Achievement – Premium Distributors of Washington, D.C., LLC – DC
Recognition – Little Guy Distributing – AZ
2007
Winner – Monarch Beverage Company – IN
Achievement – Louis Glunz, Inc. – IL
Recognition – Cavalier Distributing Co. – OH