That Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors intend to take over the world – or at least the world‘s beer sales – is a generally agreed upon concept in the craft beer community.

Phillip H. Howard, assistant professor at Michigan State University, recently showed just how close to reality that is with a diagram that connects the top 13 grossing beer companies with their respective  brands. Howard notes that with their combined labels, AB InBev and MillerCoors make up more than 75% of sales in this country (which is in fact home to more than 1,800 different breweries).

As AB InBev and MillerCoors compete with each other, they continue to buy out and absorb as many companies as possible into each of their conglomerates. Their battle for shelf space forces small-batch craft brews to the hidden backs of grocery and liquor stores.

Though the American craft beer industry has exploded in the past ten years – leading to an incredibly diverse beer culture in cities across the U.S. – craft breweries account for only around five percent of domestic beer sales, per volume.

Check out the zoomable version of the graphic for a look at all the different monikers that are actually brewed by big beer. Take heart, however, in knowing that despite the lack of anti-trust action, craft beer is still steadily gaining popularity, and every year brings increased sales numbers. And if you’re a fan, snag one of our t-shirts so you can proudly proclaim: “I drink REAL BEER because I am awesome.”

Link via Flowing Data

 

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