Big Grove Brewery has officially become the largest brewery by volume in Iowa, according to newly released production data from the Brewers Association, the national trade organization representing small and independent craft brewers. The latest rankings place Big Grove Brewery as the No. 1 producer in Iowa and the No. 61 overall craft brewery in the United States.
The milestone marks a significant moment for Iowa’s craft beer industry and follows a period of rapid growth for Big Grove Brewery. The brewery’s expansion efforts included the opening of its 68,000-barrel production facility, known as the Liberty Plant, on the east side of Iowa City in 2024. The facility substantially increased the company’s brewing capacity and positioned the Iowa-based brewery for continued regional growth.
Big Grove Brewery began in 2013 with a 3.5-barrel brewhouse in Solon, focusing on craft beer and elevated pub fare. Over the last decade, the brewery has steadily expanded its production capabilities, retail footprint, and beer distribution throughout Iowa and neighboring Midwest markets.
“This is a proud moment for our entire team and for the Iowa craft beer community,” says Matt Swift, CEO and co-founder of Big Grove Brewery, in a press release. “When we started with a small barrel system in Solon, our goal was simply to make beer that mattered and to service our brewpub. To now be leading the state in volume, and closing in on being a Top 50 brewery nationally is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the incredible loyalty of beer drinkers across Iowa and the Midwest.”
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Big Grove Brewery’s growth comes at a time when many breweries nationwide have faced slowing sales and increased competition. Since beginning packaged beer production in 2018, the company has continued to report double-digit growth and crossed the Brewers Association’s “regional brewery” threshold of 15,000 barrels within just a few years…