A billion bottles of beer: Nowhere in the nation brews more craft beer than Pa.

Every year, Pennsylvania brews enough craft beer to get the entire nation drunk. Twice.

Over a billion bottles of beer are produced in the state, according to data from Brewers Association. That's enough to give every American over the age of 21 over six drinks.

In a niche industry — which still only accounts for about 12 percent of U.S. beer sales, according to Brewers Association data — that's a lot of beer.

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The big little guys

Pennsylvania produces beer for two of the "big" players in the industry: Yuengling and Boston Beer, the maker of Samuel Adams.

Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association, says the two companies make up a significant portion of Pennsylvania's craft beer output.

Yuengling​ is well known in the state, claiming the title of "America's oldest brewery."

But Boston Beer is a newer player, occupying a Breinigsville brewery for about a decade, according to Lehigh Valley Business.

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The company makes the majority of its beer in Pennsylvania, said Daniel LaBert, the executive director of Brewers of Pennsylvania.

Wide variety

But if craft beer in Pennsylvania was limited to the "big" two brewers, the state wouldn't be first in the nation, said Watson. There's a lot more going on here.

Take Troegs for example.

The Hershey-based brewery has grown from a business staffed by friends and family into a thriving craft brewer distributing in over 10 states. It currently employs over 230 people.

"For us, it's really just been about, you know, trying to produce great beer and to be able to get it out ... throughout not only the whole state, but ... also partially the east coast too," said Chris Trogner, cofounder of Troegs.

Watch the video at the top of this article for a look at Troegs' massive oak barrels.

Troegs is just one of many breweries that benefit from Pennsylvania's logistical benefits: Easy access to distribution routes, the support of local agriculture and access to fresh water.

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In addition to Yuengling and Boston Beer, Troegs is now one of the five largest craft brewers in the state. It's joined by ​Downingtown's Victory Brewing and Philadelphia's Yards, according to LaBert.

The combination of large craft breweries, growing regional brewers and a thriving group of local brew pubs contributes to the high output of craft beer in Pennsylvania, LaBert said.​

“The smokey bar on the corner is now being replaced with a community friendly, family friendly … brew pub that focuses on grain to glass," said LaBert.

Not just Pa.

Craft beer is a growing industry across the nation. Brewers Association data shows that while the beer industry's sales are stagnant, craft sales are up.

Ask LaBert why, and he'll give you more than one reason.

Many of today's consumers “don’t want the the can of warm Budweiser that came off a production line that, you know, sat on a truck and God knows where it came from," he said.

If they're going to spend their money on beer, they want it to be something unique that was brewed with quality in mind. Something they can trace back to its source.

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That's evident in the design of Troegs' brewery.

Bartender Andrew Batula wore a shirt that proclaimed "Proudly brewed in Pennsylvania" along the back as he poured a glass of Sunshine Pils at Troegs' Tasting Room & Snack Bar.

Behind him in plain sight: Three massive stainless steel tanks called the "brew deck," used in the brewing process of Troegs' production beers.

The customers sitting at the bar watched large batches of Troegs beer being brewed as they enjoyed the finished product from the tap.

Also visible: Smaller tanks where "scratch beers" are made — these are experimental recipes that brewers test out at the Hershey brewpub.

In LaBert's words: ​“It’s really exciting times for beer in Pennsylvania."

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