National Beer Day In Colorado: Top Breweries In The State

COLORADO — National Beer Day, celebrated every year on April 7, is Wednesday. Five companies in Colorado are among the top breweries in the nation, according to the Brewers Association.

The not-for-profit trade association released two lists of top 50 breweries — a ranking for craft breweries and a 'best overall breweries' list. Both rankings are based on sales volume, the organization said.

Top craft breweries in Colorado, according to the Brewers Association:

CANarchy, Longmont - Rank: No. 6

Core beers: Dale's Pale Ale, Mama's Little Yella Pils, One-y IPA, Can-O-Bliss Series

Odell Brewing Co, Fort Collins - Rank: No. 17

Core beers: Sippin' Tropical, Kindling, Hazer Tag, 90 Shilling Ale, IPA, Sippin' Pretty, Witkist White, Mountain Standard, Good Behavior, Myrcenary, Drumroll, Rupture

Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont - Rank: 47

Core beers: Nitro (Milk Stout, Flamingo Dreams, Galactic Cowboy); Wheels Guse Round, 1265, Sawtooth, St. Vrain, Colorful Colorado, Hook Bait IPA, IPA, Death Disco, Milk Stout, Peanut Butter

Don't miss the latest news updates in Denver, Boulder, Arvada, Lakewood and Littleton. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

Top overall brewing companies in Colorado:

• New Belgium Brewing Co./Kirin, Fort Collins - Rank: No. 11
• Founders Brewing/Mahou San Miguel, Boulder - Rank: No. 12
• CANarchy, Longmont - Rank: No. 15
• Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins - Rank: No. 26

"The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed where Americans purchased alcohol in 2020," said Bart Watson, a chief economist for the association.

"Breweries who had established packaging and distribution capacity were best positioned to take advantage of the boom in off-premise sales and weather market uncertainty. These businesses also saw variation in performance based on geography and business model, with different parts of the country seeing very different beer trends, and draught-heavy breweries suffering."

The Brewers Assocation represents more than 5,400 U.S. small and independent craft breweries. The organization's independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that highlights beers by small and independent craft brewers.

Top five craft brewing companies in the U.S.:

1. D.G. Yuengling and Son, Inc, Pottsville, PA
2. Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA and Milton, DE
3. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
4. Duvel Moortgat, Paso Robles, CA; Kansas City, MO; Cooperston, NY.
5. Gambrinus, Berkeley, CA; Shiner, TX

>> Read the full Brewers Association report here.