E-Malt.com News article: US: The Brewers Association announces the top 50 brewing companies in the country

The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group that tabulates production statistics for U.S. breweries, has released its annual lists reporting the top 50 brewing companies in the country, based on 2010 beer sales volume. Thirty-six of the top 50 brewing companies are small and independent craft brewing companies, The Brewers Association said.

"At more than 1,700, the number of breweries in the U.S. is higher than any time since the late 1800s," said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association. "Beer lovers' appreciation for American craft brewers and their craft beers continue to grow."

The top 5 craft brewing companies are:

1 Boston Beer Co. (Boston, MA)

2 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, CA)

3 New Belgium Brewing Co. (Fort Collins, CO)

4 Spoetzl Brewery (part of Gambrinus Company) (Shiner, TX)

5 Deschutes Brewery (Bend, OR).


The 5 overall brewing companies are:

1 Anheuser-Busch Inc. (St. Louis, MO)

2 MillerCoors Brewing Co. (Chicago, IL)

3 Pabst (Woodbridge, IL)

4 D. G. Yuengling and Son Inc. (Pottsville, PA)

5 Boston Beer Co. (Boston, MA)


California is ranked first with a total of 11 craft breweries working on the state's territory, Colorado and Oregon are ranked second with 5 craft brewers each.

15 April, 2011