USA: D.G. Yuengling & Son once again recognized as the US’ largest craft beer producer

The Brewers Association released on March 12 its annual rankings of the top U.S. beer companies based on projected 2018 sales volume.

Amongst BA-defined small and independent craft brewing companies – those businesses that make fewer than 6 million barrels of beer annually and are less than 25 percent owned by a non-craft brewer – Pennsylvania’s D.G. Yuengling & Son once again secured the top spot as the largest producer of craft beer in the U.S.

Boston Beer Company and Sierra Nevada Brewing ranked second and third, respectively, and the top seven-ranked breweries remained unchanged versus last year.

The Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective – which consists of Oskar Blues, Cigar City Brewing, Perrin Brewing, Utah Brewers Cooperative, Deep Ellum Brewing, and Three Weavers Brewing – moved up one spot, to eighth, while Stone Brewing fell one spot, to ninth.

Meanwhile, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery held onto its 10th place ranking. In total, 16 of the top 50 craft breweries maintained their positions, while another six companies shifted ahead one place.

As in previous years, there were a few standout companies that made significant gains.

Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist made the biggest leap forward last year, moving up an eye-catching 11 places (to 28th) from its ranking as the 39th largest craft brewery in the country in 2017, according to statistics published in the May/June issue of the BA’s New Brewer magazine.

“This is the most competitive market that we have ever seen,” Rhinegeist co-founder Bryant Goulding told Brewbound. “It certainly gives us conviction that our double down in our backyard, our self-distribution and our regional awareness and focus is critical.”

According to Goulding, Rhinegeist did not open any new territories last year, and it grew production from 86,242 barrels in 2017 to 100,302 barrels in 2018.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s Modern Times Beer cracked the top 50 list for the first time, moving up 11 places, from 56th in 2017 to 45th in 2018.

Seattle’s Georgetown Brewing Company also officially moved into the top 50 for the first time with a net rank improvement of nine positions (from 51st in 2017 to 41st in 2018).

11 March, 2019