KALAMAZOO, MI --

is holding steady as the No. 7 top craft brewer in the United States by production.

Bell's Brewery ranks as one of largest breweries in the country with 250 employees and producing 248,000 barrels in 2013.

The Brewers Association -- a trade association that represents small and independent American craft brewers -- released its annual list Monday of the top 50 craft and overall brewing companies in the United States. The lists are based on beer sales volume.

Bell's was named the No. 7 top craft brewer, keeping its rank from 2012 and 2013. Bell's was named 13th top company for overall brewing in the country, moving up one spot from 2013. Boston Beer Co. of Boston, Mass., was ranked the top craft brewery and Anheuser-Busch Inc. of St. Louis, Mo., was ranked the top overall brewery in the United States.

For the ranking, the Brewers Association considered craft brewers as being independent, American and with annual beer production of less than 6 million barrels.

Bell's Brewery's 2013 production was 248,000 barrels. The company plans to produce 285,000 to 297,000 barrels this year.

Founders Brewing Co. of Grand Rapids is the only other Michigan brewery to make the list. It climbed four spots from 2013 to 26th place.

Emily Monacelli covers local government and beer for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Contact her at emonacel@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.