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Credit: Data: Brewers Association; Table: Thomas Oide/Axios

Washington's largest craft breweries rebounded significantly in 2021, a year after the pandemic crippled the industry, with average gains near 10%. 

The state of beer: Seven of the state's largest 10 craft breweries saw their sales increase in 2021, according to an exclusive Axios analysis of data from the Brewers Association.

Mac and Jack's in Redmond — the state's fast-growing craft brewery that produces at least 5,000 barrels annually — saw sales jump 57%.

Georgetown Brewing, meanwhile, reported 25% growth.

For the few large breweries that saw a decline, the drop was fairly modest. Seattle's Fremont Brewing, for instance, saw a 2% dip in sales.

Statewide, more than twice as many craft breweries opened than closed in 2021, the data shows.

Context: The numbers reflect a big turnaround from a year ago, when only three of Washington's 10 largest craft brewers reported an increase in sales.

The big picture: Nationwide, the craft beer industry grew by 8% in 2021.

Only one such establishment in Washington — Georgetown Brewing — placed among the nation's 50 largest.

Between the lines: The annual data — published for its members in the New Brewer journal — is the most comprehensive breakdown of the state's craft beer industry.

Yes, but: Not all craft brewers are represented in the rankings because some do not submit sales and production data to the Colorado-based Brewers Association, the industry's trade group.

Our analysis looked at sales from breweries, brewpubs and taprooms, but excluded contract brewers.

Also excluded are local breweries that don't meet the definition of independent, such as those acquired by national or international megabrewers. (This means Seattle's Elysian Brewing, which is now part of Anheuser-Busch, doesn't count). 

What's next: The brewers association's Bart Watson, who compiled the data, says 2022 is producing mixed results and growth projected near 4–5%.

Inflation on the cost of raw goods, particularly grain, is hurting the industry. So is competition from other alcohol products, such as canned cocktails and seltzers.

One clear sign of pandemic recovery, he said in a recent industry briefing: "At the brewery sales are stronger and still growing, so that's a bright spot."

The bottom line: For the next year, Watson sees an elevated "long-term growth rate … but below [2021] when there was still strong growth bouncing back from those pandemic losses."

Washington's top craft breweries saw strong rebound in 2021

2021 brought growth to the state's craft beer industry — a reversal from a year earlier.

Beer

Washington&#x27;s largest craft breweries rebounded significantly in 2021, a year after the pandemic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crippled the industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/07/craft-beer-pandemic-sales-slump" data-vars-content-id="89821cf6-0e78-44f0-9bad-9e386421f2ca" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s top craft breweries saw strong rebound in 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/07/craft-beer-pandemic-sales-slump" target="_self">crippled the industry</a>, with average gains near 10%. The state of beer: Seven of the state&#x27;s largest 10 craft breweries saw their sales increase in 2021, according to an exclusive Axios analysis of data from the Brewers Association.

News

Food and Drink

Washington state brewers won 19 medals at this year's Great American Beer Festival, Axios' John Frank reports from the awards ceremony Saturday in Denver.

Why it matters: GABF is America's premier beer competition, and winning one of the 300-plus medals helps put a brewery on the map.

This year, the festival celebrated its 40th year and a return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

By the numbers: The 2022 competition saw 2,154 breweries submit more than 9,900 beers.

Details: The medal count ranked Washington fourth in the nation.

Kulshan Brewing in Bellingham took home two gold medals for its Transporter brown porter and Gose German sour.

The state's brewers also took gold and silver in the fresh hop category.

Perry Street in Spokane for Mistadobalina in the fresh hop category

Resonate in Bellevue for Lithium in the German-style altbier category

Chuckanut Brewery in Burlington for Chuckanut Chuck Light

Reuben's Brews in Seattle for Three Ryes Men in the old ale, strong ale or barleywine category

Elysian in Seattle for Night Owl in the pumpkin beer category

Silver City in Bremerton for Foxy Lady in the Belgian-style sour ale category

Varietal Beer in Sunnyside for Hyperion in the fresh hop beer category

Wander in Bellingham for Champagne Toast in the German sour ale category

Boundary Bay in Bellingham for Blonde Ale in the golden or blonde ale category

Icicle in Leavenworth for Alpenhaze in the competitive juicy or hazy pale ale category

Georgetown in Seattle for Gusto Crema Coffee Ale in the coffee beer category

Lowercase in Seattle for Brown Ale in the English-style brown ale

Fair Isle in Seattle for Rachelle in the field beer category

Rainy Daze in Poulsbo for Schwarzbier in the German dark lager category

Ghostfish in Seattle for Gosefish Hibiscus-Cranberry Gose in the gluten-free beer category

Grains of Wrath in Camas for Wrath Premium American Lager in the light lager category

The Good Society in Seattle for First to Fall in the session beer category

Washington breweries rack up medals at 2022 GABF

GABF is America's premier beer competition, and winning one of the 300-plus medals helps put a brewery on the map.

A Great American Beer Festival medal. Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association

Washington state brewers won 19 medals at this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American Beer Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/2022-winners/" data-vars-content-id="fe5a092e-d9a3-4301-8647-f3ed3f5f5c21" data-vars-headline="Washington breweries rack up medals at 2022 GABF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/2022-winners/" target="_blank">Great American Beer Festival</a>, Axios&#x27; John Frank reports from the awards ceremony Saturday in Denver.Why it matters: GABF is America&#x27;s premier beer competition, and winning one of the 300-plus medals helps put a brewery on the map.

John Frank

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Washington breweries rack up medals at 2022 GABF

Washington's top craft breweries saw strong rebound in 2021