Craft Beer

Explore the world of craft beer, from performance reports and innovation tactics to the state of the industry and breaking news.

Featured Craft Beer Content

2025 Craft Volume Declined 4%, Not 5.1% as Previously Reported, per BA Correction

2025 Craft Volume Declined 4%, Not 5.1% as Previously Reported, per BA Correction

Small and independent craft brewers’ output declined 4% in 2025 – more than 25% less than was previously reported by the Brewers Association (BA). The BA issued a correction of its 2025 Beer Industry Production Survey (BIPS), which was published last month, after receiving “revised production figures for a small number of regional craft brewers,” a BA spokesperson said in a statement shared Tuesday with Brewbound.

Additional Content

Brewbound Podcast: Berkeley Alley Beer’s New Owners on Being ‘Crazy and Strategic’

Brewbound Podcast: Berkeley Alley Beer’s New Owners on Being ‘Crazy and Strategic’

After years working at various breweries and hosting their own craft beer podcast, Chelsea Rhoads and Liz Hess finally decided to take the plunge and buy a brewery. The pair, who co-host the Body By Beer podcast, acquired Denver’s Berkeley Alley Beer Company earlier this summer and have put their own spin on the beloved local spot.

Brewbound Voices: 3 Ways to Optimize a Craft Beer M&A Deal (And 2 Big Mistakes to Avoid)

Brewbound Voices: 3 Ways to Optimize a Craft Beer M&A Deal (And 2 Big Mistakes to Avoid)

After years of rapid growth, warnings that the U.S. craft beer industry was approaching oversaturation have become a reality for brewers. Combined with a new generation of young adults less thirsty for alcohol than their forebears and the impacts of new and increased tariffs, craft brewers are seeing a growing wave of mergers, acquisitions and divestments shake out and transform the industry landscape.

Circana Midyear Scans: Craft Dollar Sales -4.7%, Volume -6.3%; Declines Ease in L4W

Circana Midyear Scans: Craft Dollar Sales -4.7%, Volume -6.3%; Declines Ease in L4W

Craft remained in the red in the last four weeks (L4W, data ending July 13), with dollar sales (-4.7%) and volume, measured in case sales, (-6.3%) in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (multi-outlet plus convenience) both failing to keep up with 2024 comps. However, craft’s declines decelerated compared to the previous L4W (data ending June 15), when dollar sales were down 6.7% and volume declined 8.4%.

Brewers Association: Craft Volume Declined 5% in First Half of 2025

Brewers Association: Craft Volume Declined 5% in First Half of 2025

Beer volume from Brewers Association-defined (BA) craft breweries has declined 5% through the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, according to the trade organization’s midyear market report, which was published Wednesday following a survey of members.

Press Clips: Pilot Project Adds Location in Wrigleyville; Sierra Nevada Opens CanDo Facility; Carrie Shafir Named Tilray Beverages VP of Marketing

Press Clips: Pilot Project Adds Location in Wrigleyville; Sierra Nevada Opens CanDo Facility; Carrie Shafir Named Tilray Beverages VP of Marketing

Brewery-incubator Pilot Project opened its second Chicago location last week, located in the heart of Wrigleyville. The 3,500 sq. ft. space on N. Clark St. is less than a 5-minute walk from Wrigley Park (home of the Cubs), and includes a large patio space, full menu and a downstairs “Devious” cocktail lounge – branded after Pilot Project’s own line of canned cocktails.

New Belgium Learns From Focused 2025; Mini Rippers in 25K Outlets; LightStrike Finds C-Store Groove

New Belgium Learns From Focused 2025; Mini Rippers in 25K Outlets; LightStrike Finds C-Store Groove

New Belgium Brewing Company turned down the innovation firehose to a drip – for the most part – to start 2025. Yes, the company did add “Mini Rippers,” 7.5 oz. 8-pack cans of Voodoo Ranger Juice Force and Tropic Force (both 9.5% ABV). And it rolled out LightStrike, a 5% ABV non-carbonated hard refresher line, aimed at Millennials and Generation Z consumers.

Know Your Strengths and Kill Your Zombies: How Calicraft Finds Growth in Beer (and Beyond)

Know Your Strengths and Kill Your Zombies: How Calicraft Finds Growth in Beer (and Beyond)

Calicraft Brewing is on pace to grow 80% in 2025, after 30% growth in 2024. The Walnut Creek, California-based craft brewery has been able to buck national craft trends by cleaning up production, making key hires and refocusing its portfolio. Now, the company plans to expand that growth into ready-to-drink cocktails, launching in 2026.