Ohio may be a “battleground” state historically, but one thing truly unites us all: Beer. Ohioans like to drink, and Ohio’s craft breweries continue to crush it, according to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s 2024 Economic and Fiscal Impact Report. Ohio craft breweries generated $1.29 billion in economic impact last year despite the pressures of inflation, rising costs, and a shifting beverage landscape.
The report from the Ohio BA underscores the continued strength and adaptability of the Buckeye State’s independent brewing scene.
According to the biennial report, Ohio brewers produced 1.15 million barrels of craft beer in 2024, maintaining their spot as the sixth largest craft beer-producing state in the nation. That production figure reflects a 10.9% dip from 2022, but the report suggests that many breweries have shifted some capacity toward alternative beverage products to meet evolving consumer preferences.
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Craft Beer Jobs, Taxes, and Community Impact in Ohio
Ohio ended 2024 with 442 craft breweries, including 46 new openings throughout the year. These breweries contributed:
- $1.29 billion in total economic output (up from $1.27 billion in 2022)
- $427.3 million in labor income
- 12,255 jobs supported, many of them local and community-based
- $128.6 million in state and local tax revenue
- $99.1 million in federal taxes
Beyond dollars and barrels, Ohio’s breweries also made a significant charitable impact: 116 breweries reported donating $1.5 million to nonprofit causes in 2024 and volunteered thousands of hours to community organizations.
“Craft breweries are here to stay,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “While it’s a difficult and unpredictable time to own and operate a small business, brewers are adaptable and resilient, crafting world-class beer while supporting the communities that support them.”
Navigating a Shifting Beverage Landscape
While the decline in beer production might raise eyebrows, the reality is more nuanced. Many of Ohio’s small and independent brewers have reallocated production capacity toward emerging beverage categories—think hard seltzers, RTDs, non-alcoholic options, and other innovative releases that resonate with today’s consumers. This adaptability is one of craft beer’s enduring strengths.
Even with fewer barrels brewed, craft beer’s dollar share of the total beer market increased in 2024, according to the Brewers Association’s national industry report. The growth is largely driven by continued demand for high-quality, locally made beer, especially in on-premise venues where customers are looking for a more personalized, community-focused experience.
Why Ohio’s Craft Breweries Still Matter
Ohio breweries aren’t just taprooms—they’re local economic engines, creative hubs, and community gathering places. The jobs they create span manufacturing, hospitality, marketing, and operations. They support more than 8,000 households across the state. And they foster deep connections to the neighborhoods they serve.
Despite economic headwinds and changing market dynamics, the state’s breweries are finding ways to grow smarter, not just bigger.
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