Brewing Industry
In the 21st century, the brewing industry has witnessed a trend of larger breweries acquiring smaller ones to achieve economies of scale. In 2002, South African Breweries made a significant move by acquiring the North American Miller Brewing Company, forming SABMiller. They became the world’s second-largest brewery, following North American Anheuser-Busch. By 2004, Belgian Interbrew stood as the third-largest brewery by volume, and Brazilian AmBev ranked fifth. Their merger resulted in the formation of InBev, now the largest brewery in the world. In 2007, SABMiller gained further ground by acquiring Royal Grolsch, the renowned Dutch premium beer brand, surpassing InBev and Anheuser-Busch. In 2008, InBev, the second-largest, acquired Anheuser-Busch, the third-largest, once again establishing itself as the world’s largest brewer.
As of 2020, market research firm Technavio reports that AB InBev remains the world’s largest brewing company, with Heineken in the second position, followed by CR Snow, Carlsberg, and Molson Coors.
Microbreweries
Microbreweries, also known as craft breweries, produce limited quantities of beer. The specific production limit defining a microbrewery varies by region and authority. In the United States, for instance, it is set at 15,000 US beer barrels per year (equivalent to 460 thousand US gallons). A brewpub, a subtype of microbrewery, combines a brewery with a pub or similar drinking establishment. The highest concentration of breweries globally, with many being microbreweries, can be found in the German Region of Franconia. The district of Upper Franconia boasts approximately 200 breweries. The Benedictine Weihenstephan brewery in Bavaria, Germany, traces its origins back to the year 768. Historical documents referencing a hop garden in the area paying tithe to the monastery. In 1040, the brewery received its license from the City of Freising, making it the oldest working brewery in the world.
A Brewed History
A 7 part series on the history of beer. We start at the beginning and work our way through the brewing, the industry, varieties, culture and more. Read all 7 parts!
Part 1 – A Brewed History – The Beginning
Part 2 – A Brewed History – Brewing
Part 3 – A Brewed History – Brewing Industry (Current Page)
Part 4 – A Brewed History – Varieties
Part 5 – A Brewed History – Measurement
Part 6 – A Brewed History – Serving, Packaging and Storing Beer
Part 7 – A Brewed History – Society and Culture