The craft brewing industry defines microbrewery to be a brewery that produces less than 15,000 barrels (17,600 hectoliters) of beer per year. Microbreweries sell to the public by one or more of the following methods:
- the traditional three-tier system (brewer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer)
- the two-tier system (brewer to retailer to consumer)
- directly to the consumer through carry-outs and/or on-site tap room or restaurant sales