US surpasses record number of breweries

The United States now has more beer breweries in operation than at any point in its history, passing the previous record of 4,131 set in 1873.

Bart Watson, chief economist at the Craft Beer Association (Photo: BA)

There are now 4,144 breweries in the US as of the end of November. Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association called it a “remarkable achievement.”

Breweries are now opening at a rate of over two a day, and the evenness with which they are spread across the country has been praised.

Fifteen states are now home to more than 100 breweries each: California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Indiana.

“It’s just the beginning,” continued Watson. “Beer has always been a hallmark of this country and it is even more apparent today as America’s beer culture continues to expand.”

IPA remains the top style sold by independent craft brewers, and continues to grow faster than the overall “craft beer” category, the BA said.

“Craft breweries are a part of their communities, operating in neighbourhoods and towns, returning us to a localised beer culture,” added Watson.

“There are still thousands of towns currently without a brewery, but with populations potentially large enough to support one. With beer lovers continuing to desire more full-flavored, innovative options from small and independent local breweries, ample opportunities exist for well-differentiated, high-quality entrants in the marketplace.”