Despite estimated production volume declines of 4%, craft brewers are feeling confident halfway through 2026, according to the Brewers Association’s (BA) mid-year report.
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.
The top 50 Brewers Association-defined craft breweries once again posted results as diverse as their portfolio mix these days, according to 2025 production data shared Friday by the trade group.
Great Lakes Brewing is cruising into Oktoberfest season with wind in the sails of its famed seasonal franchise. The Cleveland, Ohio-based craft brewery streamlined its variety pack offerings for 2026, moving to occasion-driven seasonal packs that rotate quarterly and static themed packs.
Halloween’s Michael Myers is joining New Belgium’s skeleton mascot on cans of Slasher IPA. Meanwhile, Scream’s Ghost Face killer is lurking on Boston Beer Company’s Angry Orchard. And Neshaminy Creek is bringing its own Slasher Sampler mix pack to the party.
TailGate Brewery is beating the odds amid a stubbornly down period for craft beer. TailGate’s distribution business – which it bolsters with nine taprooms in Tennessee – has increased 40% year-over-year (YoY) in the first half of 2026, the Nashville-based brewery shared in a recent press release.
The story of craft in 2026 has followed the increasingly repetitive plotlines of the last couple years: Volume is down a mid-single digit at the midway point, scans haven’t been encouraging and craft is on distributors’ cut lists. While the public-facing numbers aren’t encouraging, the vibe around craft is different in 2026.
Contract-focused joint venture B3 Beverage looks much different from when it launched last year. Philadelphia’s Yards Brewing has made it official with the platform, which has taken final steps to acquire it. However, other founding member breweries have since departed.
Rhinegeist Brewing’s Cincy Light line has crossed categories with the debut of Cincy Splash, a vodka-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail. The vodka sodas are available in three flavors: Pineapple, Black Cherry and Peach. The 4.5% ABV, 100-calories drinks are packaged in 355 ml slim cans and sold in single-flavor 4-packs and variety 8-packs, according to a press release.
Another craft platform is taking shape in Minnesota. Minneapolis-headquartered Fulton Brewing has struck a deal to acquire the brands and distribution rights to Bemidji Brewing, a 14-year-old craft brewery based in the downtown district of the city that bears its name.
A year after extending its partnership with England’s Arsenal Football Club, the dedicated non-alcoholic (NA) beer maker has inked a multi-year agreement to become a “Proud Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner” of MetLife Stadium and the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids started exploring the creation of a non-alcoholic (NA) beer five years ago, as the boom of craft NAs kicked off in response to consumers’ increased interest in bev-alc moderation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two craft-centric distributors will swap territories in a dual acquisition deal in New York and New Jersey. Sarene Craft Beer has acquired the New Jersey business of Remarkable Liquids, which in turn has acquired Sarene’s business north of New York City.
Tilray Brands will shift brewing operations from Terrapin Beer Co.’s 100,000 sq. ft. Athens, Georgia-based brewery to other facilities within its network, beginning September 25, Tilray confirmed in a statement to Brewbound.
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter July 30-31, including headlines from Allagash Brewing, the Brewers Association, Garage Beer and more.