(TDB) - The Brewers Association (BA) has released its annual list of the biggest US craft brewers, with a newcomer revealed to have knocked the Boston Beer Company off the top spot.

Based on 2014 beer sales volumes the BA, a trade group representing small and independent craft brewers, has detailed the top 50 largest craft brewing companies in the US. A second list details the top 50 overall craft brewing companies in the US taking into account any brewer with a stake in craft brewing, of which 42 were exclusively craft brewers.

“The companies on this list include the vanguard of the craft industry,” said Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association. “They are exposing new beer lovers to craft, opening new markets and creating opportunities for the entire category. As they continue to grow, so will the availability of innovative and high-quality beers produced for all to enjoy.”

The Brewers Association defines a craft brewer one that produces less that six million barrels a year; that is independent with less than 25% of the craft brewery owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer; and is traditional in that its beers’  flavour derives from “traditional or innovative brewing ingredients” and their fermentation.

1. D. G. Yuengling and Son, Inc. – Pottsville, Pennsylvania

Making its debit in the number one slot,  D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States having been established in 1829. With breweries in both Pennsylvania and Florida, the brewer produces some 2.5m barrels a year. The brewer’s flagship beer is a traditional amber-style lager common before Prohibition and hence often known as pre-prohibition lager.

Yuengling became eligible for “craft brewer” status after the Brewers Association changed its definition of “adjunct grains”, such as corn, in early 2014 to be “traditional”, and therefore craft.

2. Boston Beer Co. – Boston

The Boston Beer Co, producers of Samuel Adams beer, was this year knocked off the number one spot, listed as the second largest craft brewer in the US.

Founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, Harry M. Rubin, and Lorenzo Lamadrid, the brewer is famous for producing US favourite Samuel Adams. Today it produces around 2.5m barrels every year.

3. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co – Chico, California

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1979 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi who started out as home brewers with a passion for beer.

The friends started their venture with a $50,000 loan from friends and family, which they used to rent a 3,000-square-foot warehouse to produce their first beer in 1980 – a pale ale. Today the company employs 450 people and produces around 780,000 barrels per year.

4. New Belgium Brewing Co. – Fort Collins, Colorado

The New Belgium Brewing Company was founded in 1991 by home brewer Jeff Lebesch. Its flagship ale is Fat Tire, an amber ale inspired by a bicycle trip taken by Lebesch’s through Belgium from brewery to brewery in 1989.

Not long after his return, the New Belgium Brewing Company was born.

5. Gambrinus – Shiner, Texas

Founded by Carlos Alvarez in 1986, The Gambrinus Company began as a small beer importer serving the Southwest region of the United States and today owns a number of breweries including the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, where its produces its Shiner Beers.

Headed by President Carlos Alvarez, The Gambrinus Company is a privately held corporation located in San Antonio, Texas.