Craft beer industry news.
If the realities of the 2010s bev-alc business meant that big beer could become craft beer stalwarts, and the early 2020s beer biz realities meant that craft breweries embraced light lagers and hard seltzers – I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised that the realities of the mid-2020s restaurant business mean that HOOTERS is now looking to be … family friendly?
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter May 26-29, including headlines from Breakthru Beverage, Southern Glazer’s, Garage Beer, SpikedAde and more.
Craft’s trends continued to slip ahead of Memorial Day, according to the latest monthly scans report from market research firm Circana.
Despite wavering scans, beer wholesalers appear to remain optimistic about the category, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).
Consumers kept the party going post-Cinco de Mayo, with bev-alc dollar sales accelerating in the latest week tracked by market research firm NIQ. However, year-over-year (YoY) comparisons remain bright red.
THC beverages reached $239 million in the 52 weeks ending April 4 2026, up 135% versus the prior year, and despite a looming ban, there’s thirst for more.
Vermont craft brewers are one signature away from expanded self-distribution privileges. The state Senate approved a bill on May 21 that would allow malt beverage manufacturers to self-distribute up to 3,000 barrels of beer under their existing manufacturer licenses.
More than half (55.45%) of Brewers Association (BA) defined regional craft breweries beyond the top 50 recorded production volume declines in 2025, but there are still signs of improvement compared to 2024, according to annual data shared last week by the trade group.
Non-alcoholic (NA) beer and hard cider have a similar share of total beer dollars – 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively, in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels – and both segments have been growth outliers among beer’s recent declines. However, top beer companies haven’t flocked to the hard cider segment as quickly as they have to NA.
One of the hottest beer companies in the U.S., along with a budding THC-infused beverage entrepreneur, join the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast in back-to-back interviews. Garage Beer owner Andy Sauer shares upcoming plans for the fast-growing lager brand. Plus, Kick Fizz THC sparkling water co-founder Julie Rhodes explains how she’s preparing for the federal government’s November ban.
After months of legal wrangling, a federal judge has delivered a ruling that keeps Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey under court-supervised receivership and extends that control to founder Fawn Weaver’s personal holding company.
On the precipice of the all-important summer selling season, Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon reports that beverage-alcohol experts have “questioned the ability” of the industry to close 2026 “with strength,” while he believes it’s possible.
BrewDog co-founder James Watt’s second act in beer is Second Best – and he’s offering a percentage of the new venture to his original craft brewery’s investors, who were shut out of proceeds following BrewDog’s sale to Tilray Brands earlier this year.
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) issued WARN Act notices last week for 267 layoffs in Washington and 53 in South Dakota, as other distributors potentially prepare to take over RNDC’s distribution rights or operations across the country.
