The Brewers Association released annual production figures for the U.S. craft brewing industry in April, citing continuing headwinds but also growth. The number of operating craft breweries climbed in 2023, reaching an all-time high of 9,761, including 2,092 microbreweries, 3,502 brewpubs, 3,910 taproom breweries and 257 regional craft breweries. The total U.S. operating brewery count was 9,906, up from 9,824 in 2022. Throughout the year, there were 495 new brewery openings and 418 closings. Openings decreased for a second consecutive year. The closing rate increased in 2023 but continued to remain relatively low, at approximately 4%. Craft brewers directly employed 191,421 people in 2023, a 1.1% increase from 2022. Collectively, small and independent brewers produced 23.4 million barrels of beer in 2023, a decline of 1% from 2023, though craft’s overall beer market share by volume grew to 13.3%, up from 13.1% in 2022, as craft’s declines were smaller than overall beer volume losses.