Louisiana's top craft breweries buck national trends
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Abita Brewing Co. remains atop Louisiana's craft beer production, Brewer's Association 2024 data indicates.
Why it matters: All three of the state's top craft beer producers grew their production between 2023 and 2024, the data shows, which is a mark of health despite a struggling industry nationwide.
The big picture: Craft beer production hit 23.1 million barrels in 2024 — a 4% decline compared to the previous year and the largest drop in industry history outside the pandemic, according to the Brewers Association.
- And the number of small, independent breweries operating in the U.S. decreased for the first time in 20 years with 501 closures compared to 434 openings.
- Meanwhile, the overall U.S. beer market saw a 1.2% decline in production volume.
Yes, but: Abita's production grew by 13% year over year, according to the Brewer's Association, and production at Urban South and Parish grew by 2% and 1%, respectively.
Another good sign? Slidell is getting its first brewery soon, too.
- The Times-Picayune's Kim Chatelain reports that Wicked Bayou Brewing Co. could be in production by year's end after securing a lease on a public building.
Worth noting: Production numbers for most of the state's smaller breweries weren't available, so it's hard to tell whether breweries are bucking the national trends statewide.
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