The Year In American Craft Beer – 2021

The Brewers Association just issued a seasonal communiqué which looks back at the year that will soon be in the rearview mirror. And although things are rebounding the year had its share of challenges.

Sales momentum swung back toward breweries, bars, and restaurants in 2021 and many craft brewers began to see the path back to their former production volumes and for some even new growth.

Despite a pandemic that refused to go away, more than 9,000 breweries operated in the United States in 2021, a 6-percent increase from 2020.

In 2021, American craft brewers contributed $62.1 billion to the US economy. The industry also provided more than 400,000 total jobs, with nearly 140,000 jobs directly at breweries and brewpubs, including service staff at brewpubs.

Despite obstacles like weather, labor shortages, manufacturing delays, and more, craft brewers proved resilient.  According to the Boulder, Colorado-based trade organization 710 new breweries opened in 2021 and 176 closed.

Many breweries pivoted to packaging their product to bring in much-needed income when their primary sales channels, (tasting rooms, brewpubs, bars, and restaurants) shut down due to the pandemic. And nimble breweries continued to fill the innovation pipeline with new beers to return to pre-pandemic growth levels.

The craft beer industry also became more diverse in 2021 with female drinkers under 25 now outnumber male drinkers under 25.

So while not perfect things did get better for craft brewers this year and here’s what the Brewers Association expects to see in 2022.

• Comparable craft production will exceed 2019 levels once again.
• On-premise sales will improve, but draught will still not be back to 2019 levels.
• At the brewery, sales will hit all-time highs.
• Operating brewery numbers will continue to climb, but at a lower rate than in previous years.
• Inflation will come to craft: brewing and manufacturing cost increases will lead to a hike in average beer prices over recent years.

“Coming out of a challenging year, small and independent breweries persevered and found new ways to innovate among a changing environment and evolving consumer preferences and expectations,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association.

 “Craft brewers’ ability to take risks, innovate flavors, and build better communities has made the U.S. the craft beer capital of the world, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings for brewers and beer lovers alike.”

And you check out the full 2021 Year in Beer report here.

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