In the annual list of top 50 craft and overall US brewing companies of 2014, US beer makers Anheuser-Busch, Miller-Coors and Pabst Brewing grabbed the first three positions. Top craft companies D. G. Yuengling & Son and Boston Beer are at the fourth and fifth positions.

The Brewers Association prepared the annual list on the basis of beer sales volume and released it. The Brewers Association is a not-for-profit trade group and it represents small and independent craft brewers.

According to the list, 42 of the top 50 overall US brewing companies were craft brewing companies. An American craft brewer produces 6 million barrels of beer or less annually. These brewers are small, traditional and independent.

According to Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association, "The companies on this list include the vanguard of the craft industry. They are exposing new beer lovers to craft, opening new markets and creating opportunities for the entire category. As they continue to grow, so will the availability of innovative and high-quality beers".

D. G. Yuengling & Son, Boston Beer and Sierra Nevada Brewing are at the top three positions in another list of top 50 US craft brewing companies, followed by New Belgium Brewing and Gambrinus. This year, Boston Beer was left behind by Yuengling to take the top position.

As per another report in mid-March, this is the first time when craft brewers have reached double-digit volume share of 11% of the marketplace in 2014. According to the association, in 2014, craft brewers produced 22.2 million barrels and experienced an 18% rise in volume and there was a 22% increase in retail dollar value. According to the report, craft brewers help keep the industry growing.