Boston Beer, maker of Samuel Adams, tops in 2012 craft beer sales
Boston Beer Co. topped the list of craft breweries in 2012 sales, according to data released Wednesday by the Brewers Association. A spokesperson from Boston Beer said the company brewed approximately 2,727,000 barrels in 2012. Harpoon Brewery came in 9th, while Portland, Maine's Shipyard was 15th. Portland's Allagash Brewing came in 48th. Vermont's Long Trail Brewing Co. checked in at 18th.
Overall, 39 of the top 50 breweries in America can be considered "independent". Still, those 39 companies make up a fraction of the total U.S. beer market.
“In 2012, craft surpassed six percent of the total U.S. beer market, with volume and dollar sales reaching record levels,” said Paul Gatza, director, Brewers Association. “Increasingly, beer lovers are turning to craft brewed beer from small and independent producers to satisfy their thirst for bold, innovative and flavor-forward beers.”
Here's the list of the top 50 craft breweries:
1. Boston Beer Co.
2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
3. New Belgium Brewing Co.
4. The Gambrinus Co.
5. Deschutes Brewery
6. Lagunitas Brewing Co.
7. Bell's Brewery, Inc.
8. Matt Brewing Co.
9. Harpoon Brewery
10 Stone Brewing Co.
11. Brooklyn Brewery
12. Boulevard Brewing Co.
13. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
14. Abita Brewing Co.
15. Shipyard Brewing Co.
16. Alaskan Brewing Co.
17. New Glarus Brewing Co.
18. Long Trail Brewing Co.
19. Great Lakes Brewing Co.
20. Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
21. Anchor Brewing Co.
22. Rogue Ales
23. Summit Brewing Co.
t. 24. Full Sail Brewing Co.
t. 24. SweetWater Brewing Co.
26. Victory Brewing Co.
27. Oskar Blues Brewery
28. Cold Spring Brewing Co./Third Street Brewhouse
29. Flying Dog Brewery
30. Founders Brewing Co.
31. Ninkasi Brewing Co.
32. CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc.
33. Odell Brewing Co.
34. Bear Republic Brewing Co.
35. Stevens Point Brewery Co.
36. Blue Point Brewing Co.
37. Southern Tier Brewing Co.
38. Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe
39. Karl Strauss Brewing Co.
40. BJ's Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc.
41. Breckenridge Brewery
42. North Coast Brewing Co.
43. Left Hand Brewing Co.
44. St. Louis Brewery, Inc./Schlafly Beers
45. Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
46. Ballast Point Brewing Co.
47. Big Sky Brewing Co.
48. Allagash Brewing Co.
49. Uinta Brewing Co.
50. Tröegs Brewing Co.
