Sam Adams Dethroned as Top Craft Brewery in America

Yahoo Food
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[Photo: David Reber/Flickr]

America’s oldest brewery, D.G. Yuengling & Son, is now number one on the list of top craft breweries based on sales volume, according to CNBC. Pennsylvania-based Yuengling moved more than 2.7 million barrels last year, taking over the top spot from Boston Beer, maker of Samuel Adams.

Yuengling benefited from a recent decision by the Brewers Association to redefine what is considered a “craft brewery.” Previously, breweries that used corn and rice in the brewing process were considered ineligible. This year, the Brewers Association revamped their guidelines, allowing Yuengling, August Schell Brewing, and Minhas Craft Brewery to fall under the umbrella of “craft breweries.”

Under the Association’s new definition, craft breweries’ share of the beer market has now reached 11 percent, the first time it has reached double digits. Notably, of the top 50 breweries in the nation, 42 are craft breweries. St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch remains the country’s largest brewer overall.

Here’s are the top 10 craft brewing companies in the nation, based on sales volume:

  1. D.G. Yuengling and Son

  2. Boston Beer

  3. Sierra Nevada Brewing

  4. New Belgium Brewing

  5. Gambrinus

  6. Lagunitas Brewing

  7. Deschutes Brewing

  8. Bell’s Brewery

  9. Stone Brewing

  10. Minhas Craft Brewery

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