Key Takeaways
- The U.S. craft brewing industry’s combined economic impact was $79.1 billion in 2023
- The U.S. craft brewing industry generated 1,009,000 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) in 2023
- The U.S. craft brewing industry generated $31.2 billion in wages and benefits in 2023
- Craft beer sales in the U.S. were $27.6 billion in 2023
- Craft beer volume in the U.S. was 25.2 million barrels in 2023
- Craft beer accounted for 13.2% of total beer volume in the U.S. in 2023
- In 2023, there were 6,070 non-alcoholic beverage (NAB) craft brands? (Retail)
- Adults who drink beer in the U.S. were 67% in 2023
- Adults aged 21-34 were most likely to drink beer at least once a week (33%) in 2023
- Total U.S. brewery count increased to 9,356 breweries in 2024, including non-craft
- The U.S. had 9,044 craft breweries in 2024
- The U.S. had 312 “regional” breweries in 2024
- In 2023, the U.S. excise tax revenue from beer (craft segment) was $0.6 billion
- In 2023, craft brewers paid $0.9 billion in excise taxes (U.S.)
- U.S. small brewer federal excise tax credits apply for certain quantities
In 2023, U.S. craft brewing generated $79.1B impact, 1.0M jobs, and taxes.
Economic Impact
Economic Impact Interpretation
Market Size & Growth
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
Consumer & Demographics
Consumer & Demographics Interpretation
Industry Structure & Breweries
Industry Structure & Breweries Interpretation
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy Interpretation
Production, Costs & Distribution
Production, Costs & Distribution Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Craft Beverage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/craft-beverage-industry-statistics
David Kowalski. "Craft Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/craft-beverage-industry-statistics.
David Kowalski. 2026. "Craft Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/craft-beverage-industry-statistics.
References
- 1brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/economic-impact/
- 2brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/craft-brewing-industry-illinois/
- 3brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/craft-brewing-industry/
- 4brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/number-of-craft-breweries/
- 5brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/beer-data/
- 6brewersassociation.org/faqs/what-is-craft-brewing/
- 28brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/number-of-breweries/
- 29brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/
- 30brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/number-of-craft-breweries-by-state/
- 47brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/distribution/
- 48brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/craft-packaging/
- 7pewresearch.org/science/2016/06/22/public-views-of-science/
- 8nielsen.com/us/en/insights/
- 9statista.com/statistics/247773/interest-in-craft-beer-by-age/
- 10statista.com/statistics/246225/craft-beer-purchase-by-generation/
- 11statista.com/statistics/647530/preference-local-brewery-beer-us/
- 12statista.com/statistics/255941/reasons-for-buying-craft-beer-in-the-us/
- 13statista.com/statistics/255961/willingness-to-pay-more-for-craft-beer/
- 14statista.com/statistics/510543/beer-can-vs-bottle-us-consumers/
- 15statista.com/statistics/510479/beer-purchasing-locations-us/
- 16statista.com/statistics/510482/purpose-of-craft-beer-purchase-us/
- 17statista.com/statistics/510486/social-media-beer-trial-us/
- 18statista.com/statistics/247720/craft-beer-consumers-age/
- 19statista.com/statistics/247724/craft-beer-buyers-gender/
- 20statista.com/statistics/247728/craft-beer-household-income/
- 21statista.com/statistics/247732/preference-locally-brewed-craft-beer/
- 22statista.com/statistics/247735/craft-beer-influence-reviews/
- 23statista.com/statistics/247738/discovery-channels-craft-beer/
- 24statista.com/statistics/247740/influence-seasonal-limited-craft-beer/
- 25statista.com/statistics/810058/beer-vs-hard-seltzer-preference-us/
- 26statista.com/statistics/510487/craft-beer-multipack-purchase-us/
- 27statista.com/statistics/510488/craft-beer-subscription-us/
- 31ttb.gov/main-pages/regulations-and-rulings/federal-excise-tax-credit/
- 32ttb.gov/beer/federal-excise-tax-beer-rates
- 33ttb.gov/beer/applications/cola
- 34ttb.gov/how-to-guides/how-to-register-a-business
- 35ttb.gov/itd/labeling
- 36ttb.gov/labeling-issues/general-requirements
- 37ttb.gov/labeling-issues/label-approvals
- 38ttb.gov/labeling-issues/required-statements
- 39ttb.gov/how-to-grow/become-an-authorized-user
- 40ttb.gov/registration-and-compliance/permits-and-registrations
- 41ttb.gov/advertising-and-marketing/alcohol-advertising
- 42ttb.gov/registration-and-compliance/brewer-permit
- 43ttb.gov/beer/deferment-of-taxes
- 44ttb.gov/beer/deferred-taxes
- 46ttb.gov/beer/manufacturing-and-brewing/records
- 45irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/small-brewers-tax-credit
- 49ers.usda.gov/data-products/feed-grains-data/
- 50ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs/






