Another craft brewery from Ohio has joined the ranks of the biggest beer producers in the nation amid a “challenging market in 2025” that saw a decline in production and sales, according to a new report.
Garage Beer, which is co-owned by Ohio natives Travis and Jason Kelce, joined the ranks of the top 50 companies in the 2025 Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report from the Brewers Association, released April 14, 2026.
The beer brand first created in Cincinnati joins four other craft breweries in the Buckeye State. Returning to the list from last year are Rhinegeist, Great Lakes Brewing Co., BrewDog and Fat Head’s Brewing, who all produced less beer in 2025 and dropped several spots.
Here’s how they rank.
Garage Beer joins Rhinegeist, Great Lakes Brewing Co., BrewDog and Fat Head’s Brewing among top producers in nation
Here’s how Ohio craft breweries ranked in the report:
In the top 50 overall rankings, which includes big names like Anheuser-Busch (No. 1) and MolsonCoors (No. 2), Garage Beer was No. 22. Rhinegeist was No. 29 (down from No. 27 last year). Great Lakes ranked No. 36, down from No. 29. BrewDog came in at No. 45, down from No. 41. Fat Head’s didn’t rank.
Top 50 craft brewing companies in the US
Here is the complete list of the top 50 craft brewing companies:
Cities and states are either the corporate headquarters or the largest production facility.
About Garage Beer
Garage Beer’s story? “We just really like light beer,” the company says on its website. “So we made one that we think brings you back to the way American light beer used to be made.”
In addition to its flagship light beer, Garage Beer also makes a lime-flavored version.
Who are Travis Kelce, fiancé of Taylor Swift, and Jason Kelce, co-owners of Garage Beer?
The Kelce Brothers are Cleveland Heights natives who played collegiately for the Cincinnati Bearcats before moving on to careers in the NFL.
Travis Kelce recently signed a $57.7 million contract to return to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he plays tight end, in 2026. Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift announced their engagement in August 2025.
Jason Kelce retired as center of the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024 after 13 seasons. He joined ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” later that year.
About Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist Brewing
Rhinegeist opened in 2013, according to its website, and has grown since.
It opened a second location in Camp Washington and has expanded its distribution to several states, most recently Michigan. The brewery’s year-round selection of beers includes Truth IPA, Cincy Light lager and Beer For Humans easy hop ale. Its seasonal releases include Crumb Cake imperial red ale, Hustle IPA and Franz Oktoberfest.
Beer For Humans is the face of Rhinegeist’s charitable giving program. The brewery gives to about 300 organizations through Beer for Humans Pint Nights, in-kind donations, volunteer hours, emergency relief, DEI initiatives, event partnerships, and local membership engagement, according to its website.
About Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company
Great Lakes Brewing bills itself as Ohio’s original craft brewery, according to its website.
Founded in 1988, the brewery distributes to 14 states and the District of Columbia and offers year-round staples such as Dortmunder Gold Lager and Hazecraft IPA as well as seasonal beers like Oktoberfest and Christmas Ale. Cleveland.com calls Christmas Ale a “cult favorite” for Great Lakes, which turns its annual release into an event, the First Pour.
About BrewDog Brewing Company
Founded in Scotland in 2007, BrewDog operates nine bars in the United States, including several in the Columbus area along with locations in Cincinnati and Cleveland in Ohio and outposts in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Denver. Those are among 100 BrewDog bars and four breweries worldwide, according to its website. It also has a hotel, the Doghouse Columbus Hotel, at its brewery in Canal Winchester.
Its beers range from IPAs like Elvis Juice and Punk IPA to stouts and non-alcoholic varieties.
About Fat Head’s Brewing
Fat Head’s opened in 2009 at its flagship brewpub in North Olmsted, according to its website. Its first production brewery followed in 2012, and a new brewery was built in 2018 as demand increased. A second brewpub in Canton also opened that year.
Its beers include several IPAs like Head Hunter, Jungle Juice and Sunshine Daydream as well as other styles like Bumble Berry honey blueberry ale, and Goggle Fogger hefeweizen.
The Brewers Association report on the craft beer industry
According to the report, total craft production fell 5% in 2025, with 60% of breweries reporting declines, 39% reporting growth and 1% holding steady. Craft beer outpaced the overall beer category, which declined 5.7% by volume, highlighting relative resilience within a contracting market.
The craft brewing workforce declined 4% year-over-year, losing 8,000 jobs to drop total employment to 189,000. Likewise, the number of operating craft breweries in the United States fell to 9,578, a 2.9% net decline from 2024.
However, the report cites “key trends shaping the future” that include a potential rebound in consumer attitudes toward alcohol, continued momentum for strong and differentiated brands, as well as the growing importance of experience-driven brewery models that offer value beyond the product itself.
“The industry outlook points towards cautious optimism, as shifting trends offer hope for a more stable path forward after several challenging years,” said Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association. “While it’s probably premature to say the industry has settled into a ‘new normal,’ there are many indications that we are moving in that direction. What’s nearly guaranteed is that success going forward will come down to creating something meaningful and memorable for consumers. Breweries that deliver consistent quality, human connection, and unique experiences will stand out.”
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 craft breweries in Ohio rank among best in nation. See full list
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Canton Repository / The Repository
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