Pa. breweries hold strong in 2024 beer rankings
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Pennsylvania is a craft beer powerhouse, holding its own even as the industry faces labor shortages, market saturation and shifting drinking habits.
Why it matters: The Keystone State ranks second nationally in craft beer production and economic impact, with 533 breweries generating $5.4 billion annually, according to the Brewers Association.
Driving the news: Four Pennsylvania craft breweries were among the nation's top 50 producers last year, according to the latest Brewers Association data reported by Axios' John Frank.
- Only California had more, with five craft breweries in the top 50.
Zoom in: Pottsville-based D.G. Yuengling and Son, the oldest brewery in the U.S., held its No. 1 spot in national craft beer production.
- Hershey's Tröegs Brewing ranked 20th, climbing seven places from last year.
- Pittsburgh Brewing, makers of Iron City, ranked No. 25.
- Williamsport's New Trail Brewing debuted on the list at No. 46.
Fine print: A craft brewer produces 6 million barrels of beer or less annually and less than 25% is owned or controlled by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer, as defined by the Brewers Association.
What they're saying: Hitchhiker Brewing founder and brewer Andy Kwiatkowski said Pittsburgh's craft beer growth plays a big part in keeping Pennsylvania near the top.
- "It is 100% a world-class destination," he said. "Pittsburgh is spoiled."
- There are more than 40 craft breweries in Allegheny County, according to the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild.
- Kwiatkowski said when Hitchhiker started 11 years ago, there were only six.
Between the lines: Iron City beer is the only Pittsburgh craft brewer ranked in the nation's top 50, and is far and away the biggest producer in the region.
- It opened a 170,000-square-foot facility in East Deer in 2022, and has expanded its drink offerings and even hosted large concerts and events.
By the numbers: Iron City produced over 101,000 barrels last year, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times.
- The next biggest Pittsburgh-area producers are Charleroi's Stoney's Brewing (6,700 barrels), Export's Helltown Brewing (5,000 barrels), and Sharpsburg's Dancing Gnome (3,960 barrels).
The intrigue: Yuengling, Tröegs and Pittsburgh Brewing all secured spots among the top 50 breweries overall, a list led by giants like Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors.
Zoom out: Pennsylvania's craft breweries grew from 88 in 2011 to 531 in 2022, and have since plateaued. There were 530 craft breweries in the state in 2023. From 2023-24, that number rose to 533.
Friction point: Small brewers already face rising costs, changing consumer tastes, and stiff competition, Brewers Association economist Matt Gacioch said.
- Tariffs on equipment, cans, kegs and ingredients like hops and malt add to their financial strain.
What's next: Gacioch said "there is still plenty of room for optimism in our industry. Brewers' proven ability to connect with their customers' evolving preferences will lead to more opportunities for craft beer success stories into the future."