Colorado's largest breweries see sales tank in tough market
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The seven largest craft breweries in Colorado saw sales crater in 2024, an exclusive Axios Denver analysis finds.
Why it matters: The figures indicate that Colorado's well-established beer scene is not exempt from the tough times plaguing the nation's brewing industry.
State of play: The state's largest brewer, Monster, which owns the Oskar Blues brand, saw sales dip 12% in 2024 compared to the prior year, our analysis of Brewers Association data shows.
- Longmont's Left Hand, Boulder's Upslope and Denver's Great Divide also experienced double-digit declines.
- In terms of rankings, Ska surpassed Upslope in production and Dry Dock fell out of the top 10.
Yes, but: Three breweries in the top 10 — WeldWerks, 4 Noses and Prost — saw sales hop upward with production expansions and a focus on new-wave beer styles that appeal to the shifting customer base.
The big picture: Mirroring national trends, more breweries closed in Colorado in 2024 than opened.
- The Boulder-based Brewers Association counted 31 closures, though a tally from the Colorado Beverage Coalition put the number at 41.
- 25 new breweries opened last year.
What they're saying: "Colorado breweries, like breweries across the country, have seen a decline in sales, but this doesn't mean craft beer is dead," said Shawnee Adelson, the executive director of the state's brewers guild. "What this all means for the craft beer drinker is that it's now more important than ever to support your local craft brewery."
Caveat: Not all Colorado breweries are represented in the data because some do not share sales numbers, and some sales figures are estimates.
- Major breweries like Breckenridge and Westbound and Down are among those not included, while New Belgium and Avery are excluded because they are owned by major conglomerates.