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
155-64 age group 22% of craft beer drinkers in 2023
Verified242% of U.S. adults tried craft beer in past month 2023
Verified3Millennials consume 36% of craft beer volume 2023
Verified468% of craft drinkers prefer local breweries 2023
Directional5Non-alcoholic craft appeal to 28% of consumers up 10% YoY 2023
Single source6Women represent 41% of craft beer purchasers 2023
Verified752% of Gen Z prefer IPAs in craft segment 2023
Verified8Average craft drinker age 38 years in 2023
Verified975% loyalty to favorite craft brands among consumers 2023
Directional10Hispanic consumers craft adoption up 15% to 24% 2023
Single source1161% cite taste as top craft purchase driver 2023
Verified12Home craft beer consumption 3.2 occasions/week 2023
Verified1347% of craft fans visit breweries quarterly 2023
Verified14Low/no carb craft sought by 35% dieters 2023
Directional1529% of consumers willing to pay 20% premium for craft 2023
Single source16Craft seltzer drinkers 25-34 age skew 62% 2023
Verified17Urban consumers 58% of craft volume 2023
Verified18Repeat purchase rate 78% for craft IPAs 2023
Verified1944% influenced by social media for craft trials 2023
Directional20Older boomers (65+) craft penetration 32% up 8% 2023
Single source2167% prefer hazy/NEIPAs over traditional 2023
Verified22Craft low-alcohol (<4.5%) 19% consumer preference 2023
Verified2353% Black consumers increasing craft intake 2023
Verified24Average spend per craft purchase $15.80 2023
Directional2571% read labels for ingredients in craft 2023
Single source26Subscription craft clubs 12% of heavy drinkers 2023
Verified2739% cite sustainability key for craft choice 2023
Verified28Craft fruit beer trial by 26% women 2023
VerifiedConsumer 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
1Craft employment totaled 183,400 jobs in 2023
Verified2Craft breweries supported 1.2 million jobs indirectly in 2023
Verified3Average wage in craft brewing $65,000 annually 2023
Verified465% of craft brewery employees full-time in 2023
Directional5Economic output from craft $119.9 billion in U.S. 2023
Single source6Craft industry paid $12.4 billion in wages 2023
Verified72,800 new jobs created by craft brewery openings 2023
Verified8Brewpubs employed 45,000 workers in 2023
Verified9Craft sector labor productivity $650k per employee 2023
Directional10Taxes paid by craft breweries $3.7 billion federal excise 2023
Single source1125% of craft workers women, up from 20% in 2018
Verified12Average brewery staff size 45 employees in 2023
Verified13Induced economic impact $37.2 billion from craft 2023
Verified14Craft contributed $28.4 billion to GDP 2023
Directional15Turnover rate in craft brewing 18% annually 2023
Single source16Supplier impact 477,000 jobs supported by craft 2023
Verified17Craft breweries in rural areas employed 35,000 in 2023
Verified18Total state/local taxes from craft $2.6 billion 2023
Verified1915% growth in craft R&D jobs since 2020
Directional20Craft industry multiplier effect 7.6 jobs per direct job 2023
Single source21Property taxes from craft facilities $1.1 billion 2023
Verified2240% of craft owners multi-generational family businesses 2023
Verified23Craft tourism generated $5.4 billion spending 2023
Verified24Veteran-owned craft breweries 500+ employing 8,000 in 2023
Directional25Craft sector capital investment $4.2 billion 2023
Single sourceEmployment 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
1In 2023, the U.S. craft beer market reached a value of $28.9 billion, representing 13.4% of the total beer market
Verified2Craft brewery sales grew by 4% in volume in 2022 compared to 2021
Verified3Number of craft breweries in the U.S. increased to 9,730 in 2023 from 9,456 in 2022
Verified4Craft beer market share by volume was 12.9% in 2023, down slightly from 13.1% in 2022
Directional5Global craft beer market projected to grow at CAGR of 16.2% from 2023 to 2030
Single source6U.S. craft beer production volume hit 23.1 million barrels in 2022
Verified7Craft segment accounted for 24.4% of U.S. beer production growth in the last decade
Verified8By 2024, craft beer market expected to reach $115.9 billion globally
Verified9U.S. microbreweries numbered 2,437 in 2023, contributing to overall growth
Directional10Regional craft beer market in the Midwest grew 5.2% in 2023
Single source11Craft beer industry saw 1.6% barrel growth in 2023 despite overall beer decline
Verified12Number of U.S. brewpubs reached 2,269 in 2023
Verified13Craft market share by sales volume stable at 13.3% in 2023
Verified14Asia-Pacific craft beer market to grow fastest at 18.5% CAGR through 2028
Directional15U.S. craft breweries produced 25.4 million barrels in 2023 estimate
Single source16Craft beer CAGR in Europe projected at 14.7% from 2023-2030
Verified17Total U.S. beer market volume declined 3% in 2023, but craft grew 2%
Verified18Craft brewery count grew 2.9% YoY in 2023
Verified19Global craft beer production expected to reach 400 million hectoliters by 2027
Directional20U.S. Northeast region led with 2,800 craft breweries in 2023
Single source21Craft beer retail sales value up 6% to $29.5 billion in 2023
Verified22Small breweries (<1M barrels) hold 97.5% of craft breweries
Verified23Craft market penetration reached 24% in total U.S. beer sales historically
Verified242023 saw 307 new craft brewery openings in U.S.
Directional25Craft beer market in Canada valued at CAD 3.2 billion in 2023
Single source26U.S. craft segment resilient with 1.4% growth amid 4% industry contraction 2023
Verified27Total craft breweries worldwide estimated at 25,000 in 2023
Verified28U.S. craft beer market share peaked at 13.3% in 2021 before stabilizing
Verified29Projected U.S. craft market volume growth 3.2% annually to 2028
Directional30Craft brewery density highest in Vermont at 27.5 per 100k adults 2023
Single sourceMarket 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
1U.S. craft breweries produced 12.6% of total U.S. beer barrels in 2023
Verified2Total craft production volume 23.9 million barrels in 2023
Verified3IPA styles accounted for 23% of craft production volume in 2023
Verified4Microbreweries produced 1.8 million barrels in 2022
Directional5Average craft brewery output 2,450 barrels per year in 2023
Single source6Non-alcoholic craft beer production up 20% to 0.5 million barrels 2023
Verified7Regional craft breweries output grew 3.5% in Pacific region 2023
Verified8Total U.S. brewery production 196.6 million barrels in 2023, craft 12.2%
Verified9Craft pilsners production increased 15% YoY in 2023
Directional10Brewpubs output declined 2% to 1.2 million barrels in 2023
Single source11Hazy IPAs represented 12.4% of craft barrelage in 2023
Verified12Craft seltzers and flavored malt production 0.8 million barrels 2023
Verified13Smallest craft breweries (<100 barrels) numbered 4,500 in 2023
Verified14Wheat beer styles 8.7% of craft production 2023
Directional15Craft lager production surged 25% to 2.1 million barrels 2023
Single source16Average annual production per craft brewery 2,800 barrels in 2022
Verified17Hard seltzer production by craft brewers up 10% in 2023
Verified18Pale ales 9.2% of total craft output 2023
Verified19Craft cider production crossover 0.3 million barrels 2023
Directional20Stouts and porters 6.5% barrel share in craft 2023
Single source21Mid-size craft (15k-6M barrels) produced 40% of craft volume 2023
Verified22Fruit beers production doubled to 1.1 million barrels 2023
Verified23Craft production per capita 0.07 barrels in U.S. 2023
Verified24Session IPAs 7.8% of craft barrels 2023
Directional25Large craft (>6M barrels) 2.5% of breweries but 25% volume 2023
Single source26Craft beer sales volume 24.2 million barrels in off-premise channels 2023
Verified27Total craft barrelage growth slowed to 1.8% in 2023
VerifiedProduction 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
1Craft breweries sales reached $31.2 billion in 2023
Verified2Off-premise craft beer sales up 5.1% in value 2023
Verified3Average price per barrel for craft beer $1,250 in 2023
Verified4Craft segment generated 14.2% of total U.S. beer sales revenue 2023
Directional5Direct-to-consumer sales for craft breweries $4.8 billion 2023
Single source6On-premise craft sales declined 3.2% in volume but up 2% value 2023
Verified7Top 50 craft brands sales $6.5 billion in 2023
Verified8Craft beer export value $1.2 billion from U.S. in 2023
Verified9Average revenue per craft brewery $3.2 million in 2023
Directional10Supermarket craft beer sales volume 15.4 million barrels 2023
Single source11Craft revenue growth 6.8% despite volume dip in 2023
Verified12E-commerce craft beer sales up 28% to $1.1 billion 2023
Verified13Regional craft sales leader West Coast $10.4 billion 2023
Verified14Craft taproom revenue averaged $1.5 million per brewery 2023
Directional15Total beer industry sales $117 billion, craft 26% share 2023
Single source16Craft wholesale revenue $22.7 billion in 2023
Verified17Price per 6-pack craft beer averaged $11.25 in 2023
Verified18Craft sales in convenience stores up 12% volume 2023
Verified19Brewery-direct sales grew 15% to $5.2 billion 2023
Directional20Craft import sales value $950 million in U.S. 2023
Single source21Average craft brand revenue $45 million for top performers 2023
Verified22Liquor store craft sales 8.9 million barrels 2023
Verified23Craft beer revenue per barrel $1,300 in 2023
Verified24Mass craft sales down 1% but premium up 7% 2023
DirectionalSales 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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