Gate City Named Among Fastest Growing Breweries in 2017

ROSWELL, GA • April 10, 2018 — Gate City Brewing Company was named one of the fastest growing small and independent craft breweries by the Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers. The inaugural list offered insight into the diversity of growth within the craft brewing industry.

“We are proud to be recognized by the Brewer’s Association as one of the fastest growing breweries in the country. It is a testament to the hard work and determination of our team and the unwavering support of our community,” said Pat Rains, Gate City Brewing Co-Founder.

“What an honor it is to represent Georgia on this list. Our dream to bring craft brewing to Roswell has been met with more support than we ever imagined, and we are excited to see where 2018 takes us,” said Brian Borngesser, Gate City Brewing Co-Founder. “The growth definitely isn’t over.”

Gate City Brewing Company was ranked 21st among 50 small, independent breweries from across 25 states and the only Georgia brewery listed. Median growth from 2016 to 2017 for these breweries was 216 percent; the median size of breweries on the list went from 284 barrels in 2016 to 963 barrels in 2017. These brewing companies represent 5.5 percent of craft’s growth by volume for 2017 and include eight brewpubs, 40 microbreweries and two regional craft breweries.

“With 5 percent growth overall for small and independent brewers in 2017—and microbreweries and brewpubs delivering the majority of that—we wanted to spotlight some of the breweries driving that growth,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “As the growth base for craft becomes more diffuse, these fast growing brewing companies illustrate that a diverse set of success stories still exist.”

Methodology: The list presented includes only small and independent breweries with all of their production at their own facilities. Breweries had to have opened 12/31/2015 or earlier to be considered. It only includes breweries that reported to the Brewers Association’s annual Beer Industry Production Survey; breweries with staff estimates or data from state excise tax reports were not considered. Finally, breweries must have had data from at least three years to be considered.