Small and independent brewers collectively produced 25.9 million barrels of craft beer last year, realizing 4% growth, increasing craft’s overall beer market share by volume to 13.2%, Brewers Association said.
Craft\s growth at retail remained strong. Total sales rose 7% to $27.6 billion, giving craft a 24.1% retail market share. Growth for small and independent brewers occurred in an overall down beer market, which dropped 1% by volume in 2018. The 50 fastest growing breweries delivered 10% of craft brewer growth. Craft brewers provided more than 150,000 jobs, an increase of 11% over 2017.
“Craft maintained a fairly stable growth rate in 2018 and continued to gain share in the beer market,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “Small and independent brewers continue to serve as job creators, strong economic contributors, and community beacons.”