5 COLORADO CRAFT BREWERS RANK AMONG BIGGEST

Colorado’s reign as an independent beer powerhouse continued in 2017, with five local craft breweries holding spots on a list of the year’s top 50 U.S. craft brewers as ranked by sales volume.

Compiled by the Brewers Association, a Boulder-based nonprofit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers, the list counted New Belgium Brewing Co., Oskar Blues Brewery parent CANarchy, Odell Brewing Co. Left Hand Brewing Co. and Avery Brewing Co. in the top 50. All five companies made the association’s 2016 list.

New Belgium, based in Fort Collins, was craft beer’s fourth biggest seller in 2017, maintaining its place from 2016. CANarchy, based in Longmont and formerly known as Oskar Blues Holding Company, improved one spot to No. 9. Odell, also from Fort Collins, jumped up to No. 22 from No. 27. Left Hand Brewing, of Longmont, held fast at No. 44 and Boulder-based Avery Brewing dropped two spots to No. 50.

The top three in 2017 sales were the same as in 2016: D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. of Pottsville, Pa., Boston Beer Co. of Boston and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. of Chico, Calif. — Joe Rubino, The Denver Post