Breweries Industry Profile

Companies in this industry produce beer, ale, malt liquor, and nonalcoholic beer. Major companies include AB InBev (Belgium), Asahi Breweries (Japan), Carlsberg Group (Denmark), China Resources and Tsingtao Brewery (both based in China), Heineken (the Netherlands), and Molson Coors (US). DG Yuengling & Son is the leading US craft brewer by sales volume in 2024, according to Brewers Association (BA).

The global beer market amounts to about $650 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow annually by 1.9% from the 2024 to 2029 period, according to Statista. The largest beer-producing nations include China, the US, and Brazil.

The US brewery industry includes about 3,300 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Large breweries dominate the global beer market, but smaller craft breweries have gained market share in recent years by introducing a variety of new products that sell at higher price points. Some major beer makers have acquired popular craft brands to limit competition from the fast-growing sector. Small producers in some markets have also benefited from regulatory changes that have made it easier to self-distribute directly to retailers without having to sell through wholesalers. Breweries compete with distilleries, wineries, and other manufacturers of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Imports, which account for about 20% of the US market, are becoming increasingly competitive with domestic beers. The top five countries from ...