Bucking Industry Trends, Fiddlehead Brewing Company Closes Out 2024 With Another Year of Significant Growth

01/17/25 Shelburne, VT - While craft beer industry headlines continue to report challenges for much of the industry with market declines and brewery closings, Fiddlehead Brewing Company wrapped up 2024 with another year of exceptional growth resulting in increased production and sales.

Vermont’s largest, independently owned brewery and top selling craft brand saw depletions up +18% during 2024, Most notably, this growth occurred all in Fiddlehead’s existing 10-state footprint. The brewery did not open any new territories or markets in 2024 and still was able to grow in every one of their distributor footprints, even in a downturn market. Nearly all markets saw double-digit growth year over year. 

Draft beer sales remain an important driver of Fiddlehead Brewing Company’s growth, comprising 40% of total sales. While other suppliers report declines in their draft sales, Fiddlehead draft was up +6% in 2024, and draft sales of their flagship product, Fiddlehead IPA, were up +9%.

Off premise sales data illustrate the depths of Fiddlehead’s success. Based on Total US NIQ Scan Data, Fiddlehead was the fastest-growing Craft brand family among the top 50, with +25% growth in dollar sales and +29% growth in case sales. Fiddlehead ranked as the 4th largest growth Craft brand family in dollar sales across the US off-premise market.

Across the Northeast, Fiddlehead is the #1 largest growth Craft brand, contributing the most dollar sales growth to the craft beer segment. According to Northeast Food NIQ Scan Data, Fiddlehead IPA concluded 2024 as the #2 IPA brand, with +21% growth in dollar sales and +24% growth in case sales. Its 12-pack 12oz format is the #1 12-pack IPA SKU, growing +29% in both dollar and case sales. Second Fiddle Double IPA climbed into the top 20 IPA brands, showcasing an impressive +68% growth in dollar sales. Finally, the brewery's 19.2oz offerings demonstrated extraordinary growth, with sales surging by +205%.

“We are particularly grateful for the partners that have contributed to our success, especially our local team who continue to work day in and day out to keep up with demand and our distributor partners who continue to support our true goal of market penetration in our existing territory. The fact that everyone of our distributor partners saw growth in their market is a data point I’m very proud of ” said president/owner Matt (Matty O) Cohen.

2025 is off to a record setting start with a +27% increase in CE’s sold YTD in comparison to 2024.

ABOUT

Fiddlehead Brewing Company is a brewer-owned business located in Shelburne, VT. The business has a simple approach: make great beer, hire passionate people, and ensure the beer is fresh and available on tap or in a cooler near you.

Fiddlehead Brewing Company products are distributed in VT, CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, and RI.