The Brewers Association is reflecting on a challenging year for the US’s small and independent brewers, but one which showed their mettle.

BA brewery
Photograph: Brewers Association

There was a 9% decline in beer production, and craft’s overall beer market share by volume fell to 12.3%, down from 13.6% the previous year. The overall beer market in the US dropped 3% by volume.

Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association, said: “2020 was obviously a challenging year for many small brewers, but also one that proved their resilient and entrepreneurial nature.

“In a year where US draught sales were down more than 40%, small brewers found new ways to connect with their customers and keep their businesses running.”

BA beer
Photograph: Brewers Association

The number of operating craft breweries continued to climb in 2020, reaching an all-time high of 8,764, comprising 1,854 microbreweries, 3,219 brewpubs, 3,471 taproom breweries, and 220 regional craft breweries.

Throughout the year, there were 716 new brewery openings and 346 closures. While openings decreased approximately 30% compared to 2019, only half of this drop is attributed to covid. Increasing market competitiveness and maturity were also factors, and the decline was apparent before the pandemic.

Bart added: “While many small breweries will remain under pressure until they can fully re-open and welcome their communities, the 2020 closing rate has remained on par with 2019, suggesting that the vast majority of breweries will survive going forward.”