2018 Top Craft Beer Seller Rankings Include 2 Longmont Breweries

LONGMONT, CO -- Two Longmont breweries rose to the top of the competitive Brewer's Association list of the biggest 50 craft beer sellers in 2018. One, CANarchy Craft Brewing Collective, was also ranked among the top 50 US brewers overall.

CANarchy, a locally-based collective that owns a variety of brands including Oskar Blues, was ranked eighth among the country's craft brewers and slotted in at 17th in the overall rankings. Left Hand Brewing Company just made the cut this year, snagging the number 50 spot for craft brewers.

The Brewer's Association, an industry trade group based in Boulder that represents roughly 4,800 companies, compiles the list each year based on sales by total volume. According to its classification system, a craft brewing company must make fewer 6 million barrels of beer annually, and not be more than 25 percent owned or controlled by another company that does not qualify as a craft brewer.

“Although the market has grown more competitive, particularly for regional craft breweries with the widest distribution, these 50 small and independent brewing companies continue to lead the craft brewing market in sales through strong brands, quality, and innovation,” said Brewer's Association Chief Economist Bart Watson in a press release.

Other Colorado breweries that made the list were two Fort Collins companies. New Belgium ranked fourth among craft brewers and 11th overall, and Odell Brewing Co. ranked 23rd among craft brewers and 33rd overall.

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