The state with the most breweries per capita is Vermont, where there are 68 breweries or 1 brewery per every 140 mi².
The state with the least breweries per capita is Mississippi, where there are 14 breweries or 1 brewery per every 3,460 mi².
The state with the highest number of breweries is Colorado, where there are a whooping 425 breweries.
As of 2021, there are approximently 9,118 craft breweries in the US.
For people who enjoy the occasional brewski, there’s just something about a brewery that you can’t get anywhere else.
The atmosphere. The beer selection. It’s all very unique and only something you’ll find at a brewery.
More than ever, Americans are flocking to breweries to get their craft beer fix. So much so that the number of breweries in the U.S. gained 436 just last year alone.
Now, there are over 9,000 breweries to choose from across the country. Those breweries aren’t equally distributed, so we got to thinking… Which states support the most breweries?
We looked over how many breweries were located in each state and compared that number with the population. From there, we were able to determine that these states love their breweries.
States with the Most Breweries
Any of these states would be a great destination for all of you craft beer lovers out there. The more breweries the state has, the more opportunities you have to satisfy your craft beer itch.
Keep reading to find out how the rest of the states fared in the brewery scene.
How We Determined This
This one was pretty simple. We used data on the number of craft breweries per state from Statista.
Statista defined a craft brewery as any brewery that makes under 6 million barrels of beer a year and isn’t majority-owned by another big alcohol company. From there, the craft brewery must have Brewer’s Notice from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Oh, and of course, they must make beer (sorry cider lovers.)
However, no surprise, that the bigger states have more breweries. In order to find, where the hardest core craft breweries are, we then used population estimates from the Census to see what states have the most breweries for every man, woman, and child in the state (although, hopefully, those kids aren’t partaking.)
That gave us a list of 10 craft beer-loving states with the most breweries for their population size.
1. Vermont
Number of Breweries: 68
People per Brewery: 9,176
It’s true that Vermont loves its craft beer. With 68 breweries, it’s easy to assume most people in Vermont prefer to choose to spend their Friday nights sitting at a brewery. In fact, there are enough breweries for 9,176 people to have a brewery all to themselves.
2. Maine
Number of Breweries: 133
People per Brewery: 10,107
The fact that Maine has the second-highest number of breweries in the U.S. doesn’t surprise us. You need something to wash down all that lobster. The 133 breweries supported by the state provide enough breweries for every 10,107 people to enjoy their own brewery. Of course, not all of those people are going to fit into the brewery in a single night. But you get the idea.
3. Montana
Number of Breweries: 92
People per Brewery: 11,617
Montana has a way of dealing with the cold weather. Drink beer. Which explains why the state loves breweries. With 92 breweries, the state has enough to support 11,617 people per brewery. Cheers!
4. Colorado
Number of Breweries: 425
People per Brewery: 13,550
After a long day shredding the mountains, there’s nothing better than a glass of craft beer at a brewery. That’s how we know that Colorado is obsessed with breweries. The 425 breweries around the state are the highest number of breweries on this list. Compared with the state’s population, there are 13,550 people per brewery.
5. Oregon
Number of Breweries: 311
People per Brewery: 13,562
Oregon enjoys breweries as much as the next state. But it’s only enough to be fifth-most in the U.S. But even still, 311 breweries is not a number to scoff at. That’s quite a lot. In fact, it’s enough for 13,562 people per brewery.
6. Wyoming
Number of Breweries: 41
People per Brewery: 14,116
Sixth on this list is Wyoming. Sure, there are a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy in Wyoming (take Yellowstone National Park for example), but those don’t compare to visiting a brewery in Wyoming. Ok, so maybe that’s a stretch, but still, 41 breweries in Wyoming is pretty significant. This means they definitely enjoy a brewery visit there.
7. New Hampshire
Number of Breweries: 91
People per Brewery: 14,942
With 91 breweries in the state, New Hampshire is ranked at No. 7 for its love for breweries. The number of breweries in the state compared to the population is equal to 14,942 people per brewery. No wonder the breweries thrive there!
8. Alaska
Number of Breweries: 45
People per Brewery: 16,257
Instead of sitting by the fire trying to stay warm, the state of Alaska spends its nights surrounded by others in a brewery. That’s one way to warm yourself up! With 45 breweries overall, the state offers one per 16,257 people.
9. Washington
Number of Breweries: 423
People per Brewery: 18,002
Although Washington has the second-highest number of breweries on this list, that number compared to the population is enough to bump it down to No. 9. The 423 breweries provide enough opportunity for you to try something new every night, but it adds up to only one brewery per 18,002 people. Better get there early so you don’t run the risk of missing out on a craft beer.
10. New Mexico
Number of Breweries: 94
People per Brewery: 22,307
New Mexico is the 10th-most craft beer-loving state we know. The state supports 94 breweries, which boils down to 22,307 people per brewery.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Craft Beer!
So maybe that’s not how the song goes. But it couldn’t be more true for the people who live in the 10 states we’ve mentioned.
Not only do these states support large numbers of breweries, but it’s so much so that people don’t have to fight for a seat. If there’s no room, they can move on to the next brewery.
The table below shows how the rest of the states feel about breweries.
States with the Most (and Least) Breweries
| Rank | State | Number Of Breweries | People Per Brewery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 68 | 9,176 |
| 2 | Maine | 133 | 10,107 |
| 3 | Montana | 92 | 11,617 |
| 4 | Colorado | 425 | 13,550 |
| 5 | Oregon | 311 | 13,562 |
| 6 | Wyoming | 41 | 14,116 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 91 | 14,942 |
| 8 | Alaska | 45 | 16,257 |
| 9 | Washington | 423 | 18,002 |
| 10 | New Mexico | 94 | 22,307 |
| 11 | Idaho | 73 | 24,480 |
| 12 | Michigan | 400 | 24,967 |
| 13 | South Dakota | 33 | 26,808 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 205 | 28,402 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 196 | 28,774 |
| 16 | Virginia | 290 | 29,433 |
| 17 | Iowa | 105 | 30,048 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 333 | 31,496 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 401 | 31,925 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 33 | 32,102 |
| 21 | Connecticut | 104 | 34,282 |
| 22 | North Dakota | 22 | 34,639 |
| 23 | Indiana | 192 | 35,064 |
| 24 | Nebraska | 55 | 35,171 |
| 25 | Delaware | 27 | 36,065 |
| 26 | Ohio | 311 | 37,586 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | 175 | 39,386 |
| 28 | California | 907 | 43,564 |
| 29 | Missouri | 140 | 43,839 |
| 30 | Illinois | 284 | 44,619 |
| 31 | New York | 423 | 45,990 |
| 32 | Kansas | 59 | 49,378 |
| 33 | Maryland | 112 | 53,979 |
| 34 | Arizona | 127 | 57,313 |
| 35 | South Carolina | 88 | 58,508 |
| 36 | Hawaii | 24 | 58,995 |
| 37 | Tennessee | 108 | 63,233 |
| 38 | West Virginia | 28 | 64,005 |
| 39 | Kentucky | 69 | 64,749 |
| 40 | Florida | 329 | 65,282 |
| 41 | Nevada | 45 | 68,448 |
| 42 | New Jersey | 127 | 69,939 |
| 43 | Arkansas | 42 | 71,852 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | 55 | 71,945 |
| 45 | Utah | 42 | 76,332 |
| 46 | Texas | 341 | 85,032 |
| 47 | Georgia | 111 | 95,652 |
| 48 | Alabama | 51 | 96,141 |
| 49 | Louisiana | 40 | 116,220 |
| 50 | Mississippi | 14 | 212,582 |
Author
Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.
