The Brewers Association (BA), Boulder, Colo., released 2013 data about U.S. craft beer industry. Craft beer rose 18 percent in volume sales, representing a total of 15.6 million barrels, and increased 20 percent in retail dollar value, making the segment the primary growth driver in the beer industry, according to the BA.

In 2013, craft beer reached 7.8 percent volume of the total U.S. beer market, up from 6.5 percent the previous year. Additionally, craft dollar share of the total U.S. beer market reached 14.3 percent in 2013 as retail dollar value from craft beer was estimated at $14.3 billion, up from $11.9 billion in 2012, the association reported.

“With this stellar year, craft has now averaged 10.9 percent growth over the last decade,” said Bart Watson, staff economist at the BA, in a statement. “Beer drinkers are excited about what small and independent brewers are offering, and that is evidenced by the rising production and sales of the craft segment.”

Additionally, the number of operating breweries in the United States in 2013 totaled 2,822, with 2,768 of those considered craft, according to BA definitions. By these numbers, craft breweries make up 98 percent of all U.S. operating breweries, it says. This count also includes 413 new brewery openings and 44 closings. Combined with already existing and established breweries and brewpubs, craft brewers provided 110,273 jobs, an increase of almost 2,000 from the previous year.

“Openings of brewing facilities continue to far outpace closings, demonstrating that the demand for high-quality, local, fuller-flavored beers is only increasing,” Watson added in a statement. “The geographic diversity of openings and production growth shows the national nature of this movement. In towns all across the country, craft brewers are creating jobs, delivering innovative products, advancing the beverage of beer, and strengthening their local economies.”

To view an infographic showcasing 2013 craft beer sales and operations data, click here.