Number of operating microbreweries in the U.S. 2006-2022
Microbreweries in the U.S. - additional information
Craft breweries comprise the majority of all breweries in the United States. The Brewers Association defines craft brewing as small, independent and traditional. Over the past years, craft brewers have become widespread across fifty states. Craft breweries are classified into brewpubs, regional craft breweries and microbreweries. Brewpubs are restaurants with their own breweries and sell at least a fourth of its beer on location. Regional craft breweries produce between fifteen thousand and six million barrels per year. Microbreweries have an annual beer production of less than 15,000 barrels.
In 2022, there were approximately 2,035 operating microbreweries in the U.S. During the same period, a total of 9,552 craft breweries operated in the country. Vermont had the highest number of craft beer breweries per capita.
The three leading U.S. craft brewing companies in 2014 were D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc., Boston Beer Company and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Yuengling, America's oldest brewery was founded by its namesake David Yuengling in Pennsylvania in 1829. In 2012, the company became the largest U.S.-owned brewery.