Each year, the Brewers Association of America, the Brewers, publishes a ranking of the country’s most successful brewers based on their sales figures. In one of its reports, it shows that craft beer sales have increased by 4% and now represent 13.2% of the U.S. beer market, moving close to $27.6 billion.
Craft beer production has increased considerably in the United States in recent years. In 2014 there were 3,814 craft beer establishments, and in 2018 there were 7,346. This figure currently stands at 9,000. This is especially true in coastal and affluent states such as New York, Florida, California and Oregon, which in turn has led to an increase in local production of this beverage.
Here is a small summary of some of the most successful craft breweries in terms of sales and those that are new to the market.
G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
They call themselves ‘America’s oldest brewery’. The history of this brewery, originally called Eagle Brewery, began in 1829 when David G. Yuengling came from Wuerttemberg, Germany, to settle in the quiet coal mining town of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Today, it is the queen of artisanal beverages in terms of sales; it has only eight beverages. However, the excellence of its preparations has earned it great fame among consumers.
Boston Beer Co.
The history of Boston Beer Company began with a family recipe. In 1984, company founder Jim Koch discovered this brewing heritage in his father’s attic, so he didn’t hesitate to get to work and brew it in his home kitchen, and he still does today.
His flagship product, which he named Samuel Adams Boston Lager in recognition of one of the great founding fathers of the American nation, became a catalyst for the craft beer revolution in the country, making its public debut in Boston on Patriot’s Day in April 1985. A month and a half later it was selected as the best beer in the United States in the Great American Beer Festival’s Consumer Preference Poll. It is currently one of the most popular beers in the country.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
It is probably the most famous brewery in the USA and a reference in the craft sector. It was founded in 1979 in Chico, California, by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi. Grossman began this odyssey with the simple idea of brewing the beer he liked to drink. For years its famous Pale Ale has been marketed in many parts of the world, its 23 cold ones are totally different and captivating.
4. New Belgium Brewing Co.
It was born in 1988 after a bicycle trip of its ideologists. Kim Jordan Jeff Lebech wanted to export the Belgian brewing tradition to his hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado. For this purpose, they installed their first equipment in the basement of their home. This firm specializes in classic, Belgian-style, seasonal and flavored beers of the highest quality. In addition, they work according to sustainable methods, with the environment in mind. After three decades, it is one of the most successful brewers in the country.
5. Duvel Moortgat
Duvel is one of the most recognized Belgian beers in the world. Brewed by Duvel-Moortgat for more than 100 years, originally called Victory Ale, it appeared as a commemorative beer for the end of World War I. It has been brewed by Duvel-Moortgat for more than 100 years. Today it is an authentic reference in the Belgian Strong Ale style. Its three traditional beers: Single, Ducel and Tripel Hop, have catapulted it to success in several countries.
6. Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
Located in the state of Michigan, in the town of Comstock, they have been dedicated to artisan production for more than 20 years. All 22 of its branded beverages are respected by consumers. This family-owned company that has already been voted America’s best brewery in 2019.
Founded in 1983, it has renowned beers such as Hopslam Ale, Oberon Ale and Two-Hearted Ale, the latter of which was also chosen as the best beer of the year in that edition.
7. Stone Brewing Co.
San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the ninth largest craft brewery in the United States and an industry leader in environmental sustainability. Stone operates breweries in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA, in addition to eight tap room and bistro locations and one of the nation’s largest craft beverage distributors, Stone Distributing Co.
It manages a graphic identity oriented to the gothic and gargoyles. In ancient culture, these figures helped to scare away demons and evil spirits. For the brewery this makes them «chase away cheap ingredients». They make more than 60 types of fermented products of different tastes and flavors.
The company’s long list of environmental efforts includes a LEED Silver certification, worldwide. water recovery class, solar panels, creative uses of spent grain and even live goats for ecological vegetation management. Stone has been named the «All-Time Best Brewery on Planet Earth» by BeerAdvocate magazine twice.
8. Deschutes Brewery
In 1988, Gary Fish established a small brewery in downtown Bend, Oregon, and named it after the iconic waterway that runs through the city, the Deschutes River. With the belief that good beer brings people together, Gary founded The Deschutes Brewery & Public House as just that: a home for the public. A community gathering place, where friends, family and strangers can gather to enjoy great food and a pint of home brew.
Their philosophy: «Our beers are brewed with the purpose of helping you spend meaningful time with others». They brew 24 different beers, 2 of which are in collaboration with other breweries. «Full of flavor outside of the mainstream beer,» they claim on their website.
