*Apologies to Creature Comforts Brewing and Montauk Brewing as they were accidentally omitted in the initial version of this post, we’ve since updated the list to reflect their spots in the top 30*

This past month, The Brewers Association’s shared a host of statistics in the May/June edition of The New Brewer Magazine breaking down everything from last year’s new brewery openings/brewery closings, to industry annual growth percentage, as well as volume in barrel production along side breweries’ year-over-year growth.

We wanted to take a closer look at some of the country’s fastest growing breweries. In order to identify these booming breweries, we accounted for the largest total increase in barrel production from 2015 to 2016 but also saw an overall production growth of over 10%. For this round up, we focused both on total volume growth, but also only included those that grew by 10% or higher. So while larger regional breweries like New Belgium, which grew by 43,906 barrels but only grew by 5%, and Deschutes, which grew by 28,624 barrels but only grew by 8%, have shown impressive growth, we didnt feel that reflected a significant enough increase to reflect the trend of America’s fastest growing breweries. With that data in mind, we highlight the top five fastest growing breweries in America as well as the full list of 30 high risers.

The Top 5 Fastest Growing Breweries in America

1) Firestone Walker – Paso Robles, CA – 361,497 bbl produced in 2016

Firestone Walker lead the charge with an increase of 87,628 barrels bringing their total volume to 361,497 barrels produced in 2016. This seismic growth is reflective of Firestone Walker’s $15 million brewhouse expansion, which added a 250 barrel brewhouse to their existing system at their Paso Robles location. Additionally this growth could also be reflective of Firestone Walker joining the ranks of the Duvel Moorgat family, which includes Boulevard and Brewery Ommegang stateside, a move that allows a greater distribution network, access to resources and access to brewing facilities in regions across the US.

2) Bell’s Brewery – Kalamazoo, MI – 421,529 bbl produced in 2016

Bell’s Brewery which announced their own $50 million expansion project in 2015, saw an increase of 50,889 barrels. That increase brought their total volume up to an even more staggering 421,529 barrels produced in 2016. But Bell’s clearly doesn’t intend to settle into complacency, their newly expanded Comstock location is now capable of maxing out at producing 1 million barrels of beer a year. While still not fully national in distribution fans of Midwest staples like Two Hearted and Oberon can only dream a complete U.S. footprint in the coming years.

3) Rhinegeist – Cincinnati, OH – 56,502 bbl produced in 2016

America’s third fastest growing brewery by volume may come as a surprise to anyone not residing in the Midwest. Cincinnati-based Rhinegeist is only four years old, but in it’s short lifespan has grown from 2,000 barrels produce in its first year, to 10,520 in its second year, to 31,470 in year three and now 56,502 barrels in 2016. Their newly upgraded 60 barrel system now allows them to reach a max capacity of 100,000 barrels a year with an anticipated growth to about 85-90K bbl this year. Rhinegeist currently distributes throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Western Pennsylvania and will soon add Indiana.

4) New Glarus – New Glarus, WI – 214,005 bbl produced in 2016

It’s hard to call a 24 year old brewery a quick riser, but New Glarus Brewing Company taps in as the fourth fastest growing craft brewery in 2016. What makes their story even more special is the fact that New Glarus’ beers are still sold exclusively in its home state of Wisconsin. The company experienced its first real boom in 2008 with the addition of their Hilltop brewing facility and recently added a $11 million brewery expansion as well, pushing capacity to upward of 250 bbl per year. In 2016 New Glarus grew by 19,111 bbls in production meaning Wisconsinites-state wide can enjoy even greater quantities of Spotted Cow, which accounts for over half of the brewery’s dedicated production, on a consistent basis.

5) Modern Times Beer – San Diego, CA – 40,500 bbl produced in 2016

With over 120 breweries in San Diego alone, one might assume that it could be hard for a singular brewery to standout among the rest. However Modern Times Beer has found a way to rise to the top.  Following a similar growth pattern to Rhinegeist, Modern Times has been primed for the main stage since it opened four years ago. Also producing just 2000 barrels in its first year, Modern Times has rapidly grown year over year adding bigger tanks, more space to their main Lomaland Fermentorium location in Point Loma, expanding to a second North Park location dubbed The Flavordome, and will soon wrap a third location in Anaheim called Leisuretown. While Modern Times currently rings in as third on the fastest growing brewery list, this Anaheim addition is sure to boost their status significantly in the coming years.

For more on the full list of fast risers in the industry check out the top 30 fastest growing breweries in the country.

Brewery	2015	2016	Percent Change	Barrelage Growth
Firestone Walker	273,869	361,497	32%	87,628
Bell’s Brewery	370,640	421,529	14%	50,889
Rhinegeist	31,470	56,502	80%	25,032
New Glarus	194,894	214,005	10%	19,111
Modern Times	22,300	40,500	82%	18,200
Jack’s Abby	20,000	34,500	73%	14,500
Surly	62,432	76,550	23%	14,118
Gordon Biersch	82,000	96,000	17%	14,000
Wachusett Brewing	37,716	51,239	36%	13,523
Troegs Brewing	77,235	89,030	15%	11,795
Half Acre	24,711	36,425	47%	11,714
Pizza Port – Bressi Ranch	21,450	32,250	50%	10,800
Deep Ellum	22,639	33,100	46%	10,461
AleSmith	25,000	35,000	40%	10,000
Two Roads	32,100	42,000	31%	9,900
Three Floyds	45,376	55,248	22%	9,872
Green Flash	81,287	91,040	12%	9,753
Creature Comforts	9,952	19,580	97%	9,628
Avery	52,805	62,097	18%	9,292
Allagash Brewing	82,865	91,967	11%	9,102
Montauk Brewing	7,159	16,218	127%	9,059
Revolution	62,997	71,580	14%	8,583
Mother Earth Brewing	22,000	30,000	36%	8,000
Funky Buddha	19,130	26,939	41%	7,809
Bear Republic	74,600	81,800	10%	7,200
Maui Brewing	32,400	39,550	22%	7,150
Fremont	24,200	30,400	26%	6,200
Crazy Mountain	20,000	25,000	25%	5,000
Highland Brewing	41,910	46,478	11%	4,568
Perrin Brewing	18,000	22,500	25%	4,500

 

---

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human: