In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 best craft breweries in America. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the rising popularity of craft beer, the domestic production of Sapporo beers, and the entrance of a beverage giant in craft, head to 20 Best Craft Breweries in America.
5. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Insider Monkey Score: 7
When he finally started a brewery, Ken Grossman scoured salvage yards and dairies to find the tanks, pipes, and valves he needed to hand-build Sierra Nevada’s original brewhouse. He put his first batch of craft beer to the test in 1980, and the Pale Ale that followed sparked a true craft beer revolution. Still 100% family-owned and operated, Sierra Nevada is among the largest craft breweries in America by volume and boasts an annual revenue of over $320 million, turning its owner into a beer billionaire.
Sierra Nevada sits among the best breweries in California.
4. Allagash Brewing Co.
Insider Monkey Score: 7
During its 27-year history, this Portland-based brewery has won its fair shares of accolades and honors, while developing an almost cult-like following with its Belgian-focused beers. Their signature brew, Allagash White, has won four gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
Allagash donates 1% of its revenue to charity, with over $500,000 given to the local community in 2022.
Allagash Brewery boasted sales volume of 119,848 barrels last year and ranks among the Top 100 Breweries in the U.S. in 2023.
3. Cigar City Brewing®
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Founded by Joey Redner, this Tampa-based craft brewery produced its very first commercial batch in 2009, a 469 gallon batch of Maduro Brown Ale. Cigar City Brewing’s ales bring to mind the sun and citrus for which Florida is known, while taking cues from the cigar industry upon which Tampa was built.
The Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) acquired Cigar City Brewing’s parent company, Canarchy Craft Brewing Collective, for $330 million last year.
2. Odell Brewing Co.
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Founded in 1989, Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie. In 2015, the Odell family sold the majority of the company to its co-workers (now co-owners) in a combined management buyout and an Employee Stock Ownership Program.
The Fort Collins-based brewery reported sales volume of 115,369 barrels in 2022.
1. Russian River Brewing Co.
Insider Monkey Score: 9
Russian River Brewing Company was established in 1997 by Korbel Champagne Cellars among the majestic redwoods in West Sonoma County. After 6 years, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and agreed to transfer the brand and all recipes to their head brewer, Vinnie Cilurzo.
Starting this fall, Russian River Brewing Co. in Windsor will have canned beer on store shelves for the first time in its 26-year history. The 2022 release of Russian River’s Pliny the Younger generated $6.1 million in economic impact, a record for the brewery and $1 million (20%) increase compared to 2020, the last year that the Triple IPA was released.
Russian River Brewing Co. is the Top Craft Brewery in the U.S.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 25 U.S. States With the Highest Beer Consumption per Capita and 25 Top-Selling Beers in America.
