Brewers

America is currently in the midst of a beer renaissance. An increasing number of people have discovered that beer can be as complex as wine and equally enjoyable. Clearly, taste preferences have changed for a large segment of the beer-drinking population from the bland, almost watery styles of the major beer manufacturers to a more complex, hearty style of the craftbeer producers. Even the major brewers like Molson Coors and Anheuser–Busch InBev have acknowledged the craftbrewing trend by introducing their own premium-style beers—and to great success.

However, mergers and acquisitions by major brewing manufacturers of their competitors and fierce foreign competition will likely lead to slow growth in employment opportunities for brewers and brewing technicians seeking employment with major brewers. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that through 2032 employment for separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders will experience average job growth, while food scientists and technologists will grow faster than the average.

Employment opportunities are likely to be the most promising among small and independent craft brewers. Although craftbrewing accounts for only a small percentage (about 13.3 percent) of the U.S. beer market (by volume), it is a growing segment of the beer industry. According to the Brewers Association, in 2023 more than 9,906 craft breweries (2,092 microbreweries, 3,502 brewpubs, 3,910 taprooms, 257 regional craft breweries, and 145 large/non-craft operations) were operating across the country. This reflected an increase from 9,824 in 2022 and 4,847 in 2015 and was the highest total number of operating breweries since the 1870s. The craft brewing industry sold an estimated 23.36 million barrels of beer in 2023, down 1 percent from 2022. As people have become accustomed to the availability of unique tasting beers, they have created a lucrative market for these products.

Like any small business, just-opened brewpubs and microbreweries will succeed or fail on an individual basis. The craftbrewing industry itself, however, is here to stay. A strong demand for excellent brewers exists, and those with training should have the best opportunities.