In 2021, the number of operating breweries has already risen to a new high of 9,250, up from 9,025 in 2020. The number included 1,886 microbreweries, 3,307 breweries, 3,702 taproom breweries, and 223 craft breweries.However, after several difficult years due to the pandemic and in the face of a sharp increase in the price of energy and other costs, craft breweries are feeling increasing pressure on sales and profitability.
“2023 will be a reset for many brewers as the craft industry continues to become more competitive, facing internal and external business pressures due to new competitors in this sector,” the Brewers Association states in a statement.
For this reason, the organization states that in 2023, brewery openings will be lower. Many market analysts even believe that 2022 could go down in the statistics as the most successful year for this sector, with a total number of breweries unlikely to be reached again in 2023.
