US Beer Packaging

US Beer Packaging


Market value for beer packaging is forecast rise minimally to $8.1 billion in 2027, while unit demand is expected to decline 1.1% per year to 70.9 billion units. Demand will be negatively affected by beer’s declining popularity due to growing competition from other alcoholic beverages:
  • Aluminum cans will remain the most used type of beer container, while aluminum and plastic bottles offer the best growth prospects for containers.
  • Sustainable innovations in multipack packaging – including multipack holders – reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility and consumer convenience.
Aluminum Is Most Popular Container Material, Although Trends Differ for Cans & Bottles

Aluminum will remain by far the most popular material for beer packaging, supported by its convenience, cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. However, there is a notable difference in the forecast for aluminum cans versus aluminum bottles:
  • While aluminum cans have benefited from their increasing usage with craft beer, they are a mature product and declines in beer production and beer consumption will negatively impact demand.
  • Aluminum bottles will experience healthy growth, as beer companies increasingly favor this packaging for its distinctive appearance and design potential. Venues such as stadiums and arenas – where glass bottles are often prohibited – will continue to be a key end user for aluminum bottles.
Higher Value Graphics & Use of More Sustainable Materials Boosts Multipack Packaging

Although unit demand for multipack packaging will be negatively affected by weakness in the beer market, market value for these packaging types will continue to grow:
  • Moving away from traditional plastic rings, the beer sector is embracing higher value biodegradable and compostable solutions for multipack holders such as molded fiber and paperboard carrier rings, which use more sustainable materials.
  • Beer brands will increasingly use higher value folding cartons that feature more intensive and eye-catching graphics in order to stand out from their competitors.
This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $6.6 billion beer packaging industry. It presents historical demand data (2012, 2017, and 2022) and forecasts (2027) by product (beer containers, multipack packaging, closures and labels) and material (metal, glass, plastic, paperboard). Annual historical data and forecasts are also provided from 2019 to 2026. Data are given in unit and dollar value.


  • Executive Summary
    • Table Figure 1-1. Beer Packaging Market Outlook
  • About This Report
    • Report Details
    • Market Scope & Product Description
    • Short-Term Beer Packaging Trends
      • Table Annual Beer Packaging Demand by Product, 2020 - 2024
      • Table Figure 2-1. Beer Packaging Value & Volume Demand Growth, 2020 - 2025
  • Overview
    • Historical Market Trends
      • Table Beer Packaging Demand, 2012 - 2022
      • Table Figure 3-1. Beer Packaging Demand, 2000 - 2022
    • Packaging Product Trends
      • Table Beer Packaging Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Beer Packaging Demand by Product, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 3-2. Beer Packaging Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Materials Competition
      • Table Beer Packaging Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Beer Packaging Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 3-3. Beer Packaging Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Pricing Trends
      • Table Selected Beer Packaging Product Pricing, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Selected Beer Packaging Product Pricing, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 3-4. Selected Beer Packaging Pricing, 2012 - 2027
    • Foreign Trade
  • Factors Impacting Beer Packaging Demand
    • Beer Production Outlook
      • Table US Beer Production, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Figure 4-1. US Packaged Beer Production, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Retail Sales Trends
    • Foodservice Industry Outlook
      • Table Figure 4-2. Foodservice Revenues, 2012 - 2027
    • Multipack Options
    • Sustainability Initiatives
      • Recycling & Recycled Content
      • Biodegradability & Compostability
      • Reporting & Disclosure
    • Consumer Preferences
      • Beer Purchasing
      • Beer Purchasing by Size of Packaging
  • Beer Containers
    • Demand by Container Type
      • Table Beer Container Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Beer Container Demand by Product, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 5-1. Beer Container Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Aluminum Cans
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 5-2. Aluminum Beer Cans: Product Examples
      • Demand Outlook
        • Table Aluminum Beer Can Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Aluminum Beer Can Demand, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 5-3. Aluminum Beer Can Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Leading Suppliers
    • Bottles
      • Demand by Material
        • Table Beer Bottle Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Bottle Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 5-4. Beer Bottle Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Figure 5-5. Beer Bottles: Product Examples
      • Glass Beer Bottles
        • Table Glass Beer Bottle Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Glass Beer Bottle Demand, 2019 - 2026
      • Aluminum Beer Bottles
        • Table Aluminum Beer Bottle Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Aluminum Beer Bottle Demand, 2019 - 2026
      • Plastic Beer Bottles
        • Table Plastic Beer Bottle Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Plastic Bottle Demand, 2019 - 2026
    • Metal Mini-Kegs
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 5-6. Aluminum Mini-Kegs: Product Examples
      • Demand Outlook
        • Table Metal Mini-Keg Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Metal Mini-Keg Demand, 2019 - 2026
  • Multipack Packaging for Beer
    • Demand by Packaging Type
      • Table Beer Multipack Packaging Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Beer Multipack Packaging Demand by Product, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 6-1. Beer Multipack Packaging Demand by Product, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Folding Cartons (Cases & Bottle Carriers)
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 6-2. Folding Cartons for Beer: Product Examples
      • Demand Forecast
        • Table Beer Folding Carton Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Folding Carton Demand, 2019 - 2026
      • Leading Suppliers
    • Corrugated Boxes (Packaging Boxes & Shipping Boxes)
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 6-3. Corrugated Boxes for Beer: Product Examples
      • Demand Forecast
        • Table Beer Corrugated Box Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Corrugated Box Demand, 2019 - 2026
      • Leading Suppliers
    • Multipack Holders (Carrier Rings)
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 6-4. Beer Multipack Holders: Product Examples
      • Demand by Type
        • Table Beer Multipack Holder Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Multipack Holder Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
      • Leading Suppliers
    • Sleeves
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 6-5. Beer Sleeves: Product Examples
      • Demand Outlook
        • Table Beer Sleeve Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Sleeve Demand, 2019 - 2026
  • Beer Closures & Labels
    • Demand by Type
      • Table Beer Closure & Label Demand by Type, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Table Annual Beer Closure & Label Demand by Type, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 7-1. Beer Closure & Label Demand by Type, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
    • Caps & Closures
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 7-2. Beer Caps & Closures: Product Examples
      • Demand by Type & Material
        • Table Beer Cap & Closure Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Cap & Closure Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
      • Leading Suppliers
    • Labels
      • Scope & Product Description
        • Table Figure 7-3. Beer Labels: Product Examples
      • Demand by Type & Material
        • Table Beer Label Demand by Material & Type, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
        • Table Annual Beer Label Demand by Material & Type, 2019 - 2026
      • Leading Suppliers
  • Key Suppliers & Industry Structure
    • Industry Composition & Key Suppliers
  • Appendix
    • Scope
      • Table Industry Codes Related to Beverage Packaging
    • Definitions
    • Freedonia Methodology
    • Study-Specific Methodology
    • Sources
    • Associations & Agencies
    • Related Studies & Reports
    • Macroeconomic Assumptions
      • Economic Environment
        • Table Macroeconomic Indicators, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Demographic Trends
        • Table Population & Households, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Consumer Spending
        • Table Personal Consumption Expenditures & Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027
      • Retail Sales
        • Table Nondurable Goods Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, &2027

Download our eBook: How to Succeed Using Market Research

Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.

Download eBook
Cookie Settings