While overall beer sales might be fizzling out, the craft brewing industry is bubbling with impressive growth, as evidenced by its $28.9 billion U.S. market value, over 9,700 operating breweries, and a resilient 2% volume increase even as the total beer market declined by 3% in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. craft beer market reached a value of $28.9 billion, representing 13.4% of the total beer market
- Craft brewery sales grew by 4% in volume in 2022 compared to 2021
- Number of craft breweries in the U.S. increased to 9,730 in 2023 from 9,456 in 2022
- U.S. craft breweries produced 12.6% of total U.S. beer barrels in 2023
- Total craft production volume 23.9 million barrels in 2023
- IPA styles accounted for 23% of craft production volume in 2023
- Craft breweries sales reached $31.2 billion in 2023
- Off-premise craft beer sales up 5.1% in value 2023
- Average price per barrel for craft beer $1,250 in 2023
- Craft employment totaled 183,400 jobs in 2023
- Craft breweries supported 1.2 million jobs indirectly in 2023
- Average wage in craft brewing $65,000 annually 2023
- 55-64 age group 22% of craft beer drinkers in 2023
- 42% of U.S. adults tried craft beer in past month 2023
- Millennials consume 36% of craft beer volume 2023
The craft beer industry shows steady growth and resilience despite a shrinking overall beer market.
Consumer Trends
- 55-64 age group 22% of craft beer drinkers in 2023
- 42% of U.S. adults tried craft beer in past month 2023
- Millennials consume 36% of craft beer volume 2023
- 68% of craft drinkers prefer local breweries 2023
- Non-alcoholic craft appeal to 28% of consumers up 10% YoY 2023
- Women represent 41% of craft beer purchasers 2023
- 52% of Gen Z prefer IPAs in craft segment 2023
- Average craft drinker age 38 years in 2023
- 75% loyalty to favorite craft brands among consumers 2023
- Hispanic consumers craft adoption up 15% to 24% 2023
- 61% cite taste as top craft purchase driver 2023
- Home craft beer consumption 3.2 occasions/week 2023
- 47% of craft fans visit breweries quarterly 2023
- Low/no carb craft sought by 35% dieters 2023
- 29% of consumers willing to pay 20% premium for craft 2023
- Craft seltzer drinkers 25-34 age skew 62% 2023
- Urban consumers 58% of craft volume 2023
- Repeat purchase rate 78% for craft IPAs 2023
- 44% influenced by social media for craft trials 2023
- Older boomers (65+) craft penetration 32% up 8% 2023
- 67% prefer hazy/NEIPAs over traditional 2023
- Craft low-alcohol (<4.5%) 19% consumer preference 2023
- 53% Black consumers increasing craft intake 2023
- Average spend per craft purchase $15.80 2023
- 71% read labels for ingredients in craft 2023
- Subscription craft clubs 12% of heavy drinkers 2023
- 39% cite sustainability key for craft choice 2023
- Craft fruit beer trial by 26% women 2023
Consumer Trends Interpretation
Despite the enduring loyalty of their boomer parents and the IPA zeal of Gen Z, craft breweries are truly thriving by skillfully evolving into inclusive, health-conscious community hubs where everyone from millennial regulars to increasingly diverse new drinkers can find a flavor, a feel, and a favorite local pint worth coming back for.
Employment and Economics
- Craft employment totaled 183,400 jobs in 2023
- Craft breweries supported 1.2 million jobs indirectly in 2023
- Average wage in craft brewing $65,000 annually 2023
- 65% of craft brewery employees full-time in 2023
- Economic output from craft $119.9 billion in U.S. 2023
- Craft industry paid $12.4 billion in wages 2023
- 2,800 new jobs created by craft brewery openings 2023
- Brewpubs employed 45,000 workers in 2023
- Craft sector labor productivity $650k per employee 2023
- Taxes paid by craft breweries $3.7 billion federal excise 2023
- 25% of craft workers women, up from 20% in 2018
- Average brewery staff size 45 employees in 2023
- Induced economic impact $37.2 billion from craft 2023
- Craft contributed $28.4 billion to GDP 2023
- Turnover rate in craft brewing 18% annually 2023
- Supplier impact 477,000 jobs supported by craft 2023
- Craft breweries in rural areas employed 35,000 in 2023
- Total state/local taxes from craft $2.6 billion 2023
- 15% growth in craft R&D jobs since 2020
- Craft industry multiplier effect 7.6 jobs per direct job 2023
- Property taxes from craft facilities $1.1 billion 2023
- 40% of craft owners multi-generational family businesses 2023
- Craft tourism generated $5.4 billion spending 2023
- Veteran-owned craft breweries 500+ employing 8,000 in 2023
- Craft sector capital investment $4.2 billion 2023
Employment and Economics Interpretation
Behind every one of the 183,400 pints poured by the craft beer industry lies a surprisingly robust economic engine, supporting over a million jobs, paying billions in wages and taxes, and proving that a passion for hops can also be a serious profession—even if the turnover rate suggests some employees might just be in it for the free samples.
Market Size and Growth
- In 2023, the U.S. craft beer market reached a value of $28.9 billion, representing 13.4% of the total beer market
- Craft brewery sales grew by 4% in volume in 2022 compared to 2021
- Number of craft breweries in the U.S. increased to 9,730 in 2023 from 9,456 in 2022
- Craft beer market share by volume was 12.9% in 2023, down slightly from 13.1% in 2022
- Global craft beer market projected to grow at CAGR of 16.2% from 2023 to 2030
- U.S. craft beer production volume hit 23.1 million barrels in 2022
- Craft segment accounted for 24.4% of U.S. beer production growth in the last decade
- By 2024, craft beer market expected to reach $115.9 billion globally
- U.S. microbreweries numbered 2,437 in 2023, contributing to overall growth
- Regional craft beer market in the Midwest grew 5.2% in 2023
- Craft beer industry saw 1.6% barrel growth in 2023 despite overall beer decline
- Number of U.S. brewpubs reached 2,269 in 2023
- Craft market share by sales volume stable at 13.3% in 2023
- Asia-Pacific craft beer market to grow fastest at 18.5% CAGR through 2028
- U.S. craft breweries produced 25.4 million barrels in 2023 estimate
- Craft beer CAGR in Europe projected at 14.7% from 2023-2030
- Total U.S. beer market volume declined 3% in 2023, but craft grew 2%
- Craft brewery count grew 2.9% YoY in 2023
- Global craft beer production expected to reach 400 million hectoliters by 2027
- U.S. Northeast region led with 2,800 craft breweries in 2023
- Craft beer retail sales value up 6% to $29.5 billion in 2023
- Small breweries (<1M barrels) hold 97.5% of craft breweries
- Craft market penetration reached 24% in total U.S. beer sales historically
- 2023 saw 307 new craft brewery openings in U.S.
- Craft beer market in Canada valued at CAD 3.2 billion in 2023
- U.S. craft segment resilient with 1.4% growth amid 4% industry contraction 2023
- Total craft breweries worldwide estimated at 25,000 in 2023
- U.S. craft beer market share peaked at 13.3% in 2021 before stabilizing
- Projected U.S. craft market volume growth 3.2% annually to 2028
- Craft brewery density highest in Vermont at 27.5 per 100k adults 2023
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
America’s craft beer scene is like a well-attended, slightly rowdy party that keeps expanding into the backyard even as the main house empties out, proving there's still plenty of thirst for a thoughtfully made pint.
Production and Output
- U.S. craft breweries produced 12.6% of total U.S. beer barrels in 2023
- Total craft production volume 23.9 million barrels in 2023
- IPA styles accounted for 23% of craft production volume in 2023
- Microbreweries produced 1.8 million barrels in 2022
- Average craft brewery output 2,450 barrels per year in 2023
- Non-alcoholic craft beer production up 20% to 0.5 million barrels 2023
- Regional craft breweries output grew 3.5% in Pacific region 2023
- Total U.S. brewery production 196.6 million barrels in 2023, craft 12.2%
- Craft pilsners production increased 15% YoY in 2023
- Brewpubs output declined 2% to 1.2 million barrels in 2023
- Hazy IPAs represented 12.4% of craft barrelage in 2023
- Craft seltzers and flavored malt production 0.8 million barrels 2023
- Smallest craft breweries (<100 barrels) numbered 4,500 in 2023
- Wheat beer styles 8.7% of craft production 2023
- Craft lager production surged 25% to 2.1 million barrels 2023
- Average annual production per craft brewery 2,800 barrels in 2022
- Hard seltzer production by craft brewers up 10% in 2023
- Pale ales 9.2% of total craft output 2023
- Craft cider production crossover 0.3 million barrels 2023
- Stouts and porters 6.5% barrel share in craft 2023
- Mid-size craft (15k-6M barrels) produced 40% of craft volume 2023
- Fruit beers production doubled to 1.1 million barrels 2023
- Craft production per capita 0.07 barrels in U.S. 2023
- Session IPAs 7.8% of craft barrels 2023
- Large craft (>6M barrels) 2.5% of breweries but 25% volume 2023
- Craft beer sales volume 24.2 million barrels in off-premise channels 2023
- Total craft barrelage growth slowed to 1.8% in 2023
Production and Output Interpretation
In a sea of industrial lager, craft brewers are steadily becoming a more flavorful and varied archipelago, with IPAs still ruling the roost, lagers making a surprising comeback, and even teetotalers now finding a seat at the bar.
Sales and Revenue
- Craft breweries sales reached $31.2 billion in 2023
- Off-premise craft beer sales up 5.1% in value 2023
- Average price per barrel for craft beer $1,250 in 2023
- Craft segment generated 14.2% of total U.S. beer sales revenue 2023
- Direct-to-consumer sales for craft breweries $4.8 billion 2023
- On-premise craft sales declined 3.2% in volume but up 2% value 2023
- Top 50 craft brands sales $6.5 billion in 2023
- Craft beer export value $1.2 billion from U.S. in 2023
- Average revenue per craft brewery $3.2 million in 2023
- Supermarket craft beer sales volume 15.4 million barrels 2023
- Craft revenue growth 6.8% despite volume dip in 2023
- E-commerce craft beer sales up 28% to $1.1 billion 2023
- Regional craft sales leader West Coast $10.4 billion 2023
- Craft taproom revenue averaged $1.5 million per brewery 2023
- Total beer industry sales $117 billion, craft 26% share 2023
- Craft wholesale revenue $22.7 billion in 2023
- Price per 6-pack craft beer averaged $11.25 in 2023
- Craft sales in convenience stores up 12% volume 2023
- Brewery-direct sales grew 15% to $5.2 billion 2023
- Craft import sales value $950 million in U.S. 2023
- Average craft brand revenue $45 million for top performers 2023
- Liquor store craft sales 8.9 million barrels 2023
- Craft beer revenue per barrel $1,300 in 2023
- Mass craft sales down 1% but premium up 7% 2023
Sales and Revenue Interpretation
Despite the existential dread of pouring a pint for no one in a bar, craft beer's secret genius lies in making us pay more for less at home, proving that a good story in a can is worth at least $11.25 and a 28% click-through rate.
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