What happened: According to the Brewers Association, small and independent breweries had a market share of five percent back in 2010, and by 2018, that had increased to 13.2 percent. Craft fared better than the overall beer market, which saw production volume decline by 3% in 2022. Why it matters: Craft beer production has remained flat in 2022 at 24.3 million barrels, with no year-over-year percentage growth for the first time since the mid-1980s, leaving major questions about the industry's future. The number of new breweries opening decreased for the second consecutive year, while the closing rate increased to 3%. Where to see the impact: The departure of the largest brewers from the independent beer market such as Bell's and New Belgium has affected the broader craft industry's growth. Only two craft beer makers are in the top 50 breweries, dominated by Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors. |
