More than 8000 breweries operating in the US in 2019

USA | Faced with New Belgium’s exclusion from its tables, the Brewers Association (BA) in its year-end statement has reiterated its estimate that a 4 percent growth in beer production for small and independent breweries seems likely for 2019.

Following the sale of craft brewer New Belgium to Australia’s brewer Lion in November, industry pundits suggested that volume growth for all those craft brewers that are acknowledged by the BA, could turn negative for the first time. In 2017 and 2018 already, annual growth rates had slowed to 4 percent.

According to the BA, more than 8,000 breweries operated in 2019, which is a record high for the United States. At the same time, the competitive market has led to more brewery closures. An estimated 300 breweries will have closed in 2019.

Get the seal

As to the BA’s independence seal, launched in 2017: More than 4,700 craft brewing companies have adopted the seal so far, up from 4,000 in 2018. They represent close to 80 percent of craft beer brewed in the United States. The state of Delaware, with its 21 small and independent craft breweries, became the first state with a 100 percent adoption of the seal.

A complete 2019 industry analysis will be presented at the annual Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, held in San Antonio, Texas, from 11 to 22 April 2020.

Conference registration is currently open to brewing industry personnel and media, with early bird pricing available through 6 February 2020.