Craft Beer is one of the brightest segments in the global beer industry. While there is no universal standard to define craft beer, the Brewers Association in Boulder, Colorado, calls a brewer a craft brewer if it is a small and independent brewer. To qualify as a US craft brewer, according to the Brewers Association, a brew must fulfill three main criteria. First, the craft brewer must produce 6 million or fewer barrels of beer per year (having less than 3% of US beer market share by production volume). Second, the craft brewer must have less than 25% of the brewery owned or controlled by an alcohol company that is not a craft brewer. Third, the craft brewer must have a TTB Brewer's Notice. Craft brewers typically use traditional or unique ingredients and are closely involved with their local communities. By definition, craft beer market share is extraordinarily fragmented, but craft breweries are springing up all over the world. You can find Craft Beer Market Size, US Craft Beer Market Share, and other trends and statistics below. You can get help with additional Craft Beer industry market research here.
The chart shows the Craft Beer Market Size from 2020 to 2024. In 2020, the size of the Craft Beer Industry is $48B and is projected to grow by 12% in 2021. From 2020 to 2024, the Craft Beer Industry growth is projected to average 11% per year (CAGR). These estimates were made before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The short term impact of COVID-19 on the Craft Beer market growth will likely be Medium because craft brewer distribution and sales channels, especially brewpubs, taprooms, and restaurants, have closed or reduced operations. The long term impact of COVID-19 on the Craft Beer market growth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be Low because beer is minimally impacted after recessions. Request help with obtaining the source for this data and additional Craft Beer market research here.
The chart shows US Craft Beer Market Share in 2018 in volume by beer segment. The Craft Beer Market is highly fragmented across many small, independent brewers. Craft Beer market share of the US beer industry was 13.6% in 2018. US Beer Imports market share was 19% of US beer volume. Other US Domestic beer had 67.4% market share. The leading craft brewers in the United States by production volume are Yuengling, Boston Beer, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Duvel Moortgat, Gambrinus, Bell’s Brewery, CANarchy, Stone Brewing, and Artisanal Brewing Ventures. Get help with market research for the Craft Beer market, including the source for this US Craft Beer Market Share chart and other data here.
Craft beer market share is quickly increasing as a percentage of global beer production and sales. The growth of craft beer and craft breweries coincides with several key factors. Consumers are more conscious about what they put into their bodies and more supportive of independent brands amid a consolidating beer industry. Technology has made it easier for small, independent brewers to launch. Better supply chains exist that make it easier to start a new craft brewery. Craft beer has a reputation for having better ingredients and being produced by entrepreneurial local beer enthusiasts rather than large beer companies. Production volume increases and higher price points have inspired Craft beer market share increases. While craft beer as an industry is growing, much of this growth is attributed to new entrants. The craft beer industry is also facing competition from flavored malt beverages, hard seltzers, and large beer companies like AB InBev and MolsonCoors launching brands that replicate craft beer brewing techniques. Because of increasing competition, many individual brewers face significant market headwinds.
Craft Beer is a Growing market composed of highly fragmented independent brewers. While half of the global beer market share is composed of just three companies, craft brew market share, which represents 10-15% of global brewing volume, is fragmented across thousands of independent craft brewers. Some, like Yuengling, are nearly 200 years old. But most have sprouted in the last two decades.
T4's research team can help you learn more about the Craft Beer industry with market analysis, competitive analysis, commercial Due Diligence, and other market research needs. This includes a more in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape in the Craft Beer market. In the US, these competitors include larger craft brewers like Boston Beer Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, Bell's Brewery, and many others. Globally, the competitive landscape includes craft brewers like Mountain Goat Brewery (Australia), C.K. Browar (Poland), Caledonia Brewery (Scotland), De Halve Maan Brewery (Belgium), and Kiuchi (Japan). T4 provides research into related topics such as Alcohol, Liquor, Wine, Retail, Grocery, Soft Drink, Sports Drinks, Food & Beverage, and Beer, as well as support in the Consumer Sector and other Sectors. Find more information about T4's services here.
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