20 Top Selling Craft Breweries: Business Is Booming (PHOTOS)

Beer, brewski, liquid courage -- whatever you may call it, beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the U.S. And while the big players like Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors have seen consistent declines in their billion-dollar sales, regional craft breweries continue to attract a growing fan base of quality, small batch brews.

In 2011, all top 25 craft breweries experienced increases in revenues. Craft breweries recorded 15 percent growth in volume of barrels shipped, compared to a 1.5 percent decrease in the beer industry overall, according to industry estimates from Beer Marketer's Insights. Currently, 1,900 craft breweries are in operation across the nation, with an additional 900 in the planning stages, making great beer a more accessible treat for the 95 million beer lovers in the U.S.

Craft brewers, defined by the Brewers Association as breweries that produce 6 million barrels of beer or less annually, often use traditional methods to create malts and incorporate unique adjuncts to enhance flavors. "A light American lager no longer satisfies every taste," said Julia Herz, the craft beer program director at the Brewers Association. "Americans have developed a discerning palate, so if it's not world class quality, it won't survive." In an age where the majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery, Herz points out that a great shift in the industry has been the localization of beer, creating a greater following for businesses heavily involved in their communities.

While rich lagers and unique brands characterize the craft scene, the true ambassadors are the passionate brew masters behind these small businesses, many of whom started home brewing in their basements. "They are carving out their version of the American dream," Herz said. "Where there's a cause, there is a great willingness to roll up their sleeves and start a business."

According to industry estimates from Beer Marketer's Insights, here are the top 20 craft breweries in the U.S.

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Comments

[kchau10]

01:01 PM on 04/18/2012

Check out this blog post on Carib Beer! They are an international beer, but I think this is the next "drink on the beach" beer. Sorry Corona...! http://www.pavonefood.com/the-real-things/

[Dasher2]

10:01 PM on 04/01/2012

Wow! This is making me very, very thirsty. You guys talk beer, I have an errand to run.

[dhughes]

04:17 PM on 02/20/2012

I know Emperyian Ales located in Lincoln, Nebraska is not among the top 20 in sales, but it is first in my top three favorite craft breweries along with New Belgium and Boulevard. When I first started drinking beer in 1976, I never would have thought that my favorite beers now would be brewed in Lincoln, Kansas City, and Fort Collins!

[jroman62]

10:46 PM on 02/19/2012

Hand me a cold Dogfish any time.

[jonnyfrog]

04:36 PM on 02/19/2012

Sam Adams is considered a craft brewery?

[Jason Notte]

01:04 PM on 03/02/2012

Oh please.

[Kevin Lewis]

12:55 PM on 02/19/2012

I am not surprised that Deschutes is on the list.

[Toucan Dive]

12:23 PM on 02/19/2012

Bell's Hopslam! Finest beer out there, with Russian River Brewery's Pliny the Elder, a close second!

[Roy m]

04:51 AM on 02/19/2012

Not in the same class of beers but Duvel beer is a very good unpasteurized beer well worth a try.So may Beers so little time....... Did you guys look at the guys in the picture and say to your self "what a bunch of drunks?" ... the thought had passed through my mine but didn't stick. stay safe guys!!!

[Roy m]

04:40 AM on 02/19/2012

Samuel Adams is the finest beer manufactured you can buy I have tasted many beers and this beer is a rich full body beer. No bud about it this is a beer with flavor. I would love to be able to say the same about Shiner senses it's almost a San Antonio beer, but all their beers have the same yeasty flavor. Thank God for Samuel Adams Beer!!!!!

[indotube]

07:23 AM on 02/19/2012

disagree. while i enjoy the boston lager, the majority of their other beers fall well below the mark, with the exception of one or two. on the other hand, shiner is the opposite for me. the namesake beer, shiner bock, is slightly above average, but their other beers are fantastic, in my opinion.

[Roy m]

07:31 AM on 02/19/2012

That's great for you and many others,Samuel Adams was on the top of the list for a reason.Long Live Shiner a Texas tradition.

[samuleparsons]

02:41 AM on 02/19/2012

Congrats to Sierra Nevada Brewery! Brewed in my hometown of Chico, Ca. There are a number of other ale's, stouts, and wines that you can only get in NorCal. Beautiful restaurant and brewery too. Come join in on our hometown University's drinking problem!

[Yo Greco]

11:36 PM on 02/18/2012

Hop Slam by Bells is great but hard to come by

[Christopher Mobley]

12:11 AM on 02/19/2012

Bell's is fantastic. Wish they had it down here in the South.

[Gabe A Davis]

04:02 AM on 02/19/2012

mellow mushroom in Columbia SC serves Bell's amber beer.

[Yo Greco]

11:34 PM on 02/18/2012

All of those great beers and then you top it off with Sam Adams! You may as well put Budweiser ...

[jroman62]

10:47 PM on 02/19/2012

Sam Adams doe shake some good beers.

[Jason Notte]

01:06 PM on 03/02/2012

So what is craft, if not Sam Adams? Please, tell me. Illuminate the discussion a bit. When does a brewer stop being craft? One million barrels? Two million? Some other arbitrary number? Please, let me know.

[snuffy smiff]

08:34 PM on 02/18/2012

Boulevard Wheat, unbelievably good.

[lbrentnj]

08:29 PM on 02/18/2012

Yuengling Lager
Pottsville, PA

[Miajoon]

07:47 PM on 02/18/2012

My favorite is Sweetwater Brewing Co- Atlanta, GA. 420 Extra Pale Ale.