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

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Anyone looking for an answer to when craft’s current era of compounding hurdles and declines will come to an end received a reality check Wednesday during Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson’s state of the industry address, held at the start of Day 2 of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Indianapolis.

Circana: Craft Posts 4-Week Dollar Sales Improvement to Start 2025

Circana: Craft Posts 4-Week Dollar Sales Improvement to Start 2025

Craft’s rolling four-week losses improved to start 2025, according to the most recent report from market research firm Circana. The segment’s off-premise dollar sales declined -3.1% and volume, measured in case sales, declined -4.6% in the four-week period ending January 26 (L4W) at multi-outlet grocery, mass retail and convenience stores (MULO+C). That marked an improvement over the prior four-week period (through December 29, 2024), when craft dollars declined -5.1% and volume declined -6.5%.

Additional Content

Bart Watson: Differentiation Vital for Craft to Return to Growth

Bart Watson: Differentiation Vital for Craft to Return to Growth

For craft breweries to return to growth, they have to do more than just make great beer, Brewers Association (BA) chief economist and VP of strategy Bart Watson said during his state of the industry address Tuesday on Day 2 of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Las Vegas.

Justin’s CBC Picks: State of the Industry, Fawn Weaver, Government Affairs and Chain Buyers

Justin’s CBC Picks: State of the Industry, Fawn Weaver, Government Affairs and Chain Buyers

The highlight of every Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) for me is Brewers Association (BA) chief economist Bart Watson’s “State of the Industry” presentation. Watson gives a data-filled pulse check on the health of the industry, insights on where the business is heading and some much needed real talk on the future now that growth isn’t a given.

Zoe’s CBC Picks: Hard Cider, Brand Extensions and Business Smarts

Zoe’s CBC Picks: Hard Cider, Brand Extensions and Business Smarts

The Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) was the first industry event I ever attended, so I see it as the unofficial start to a new year. It’s also a great pulse check on how the industry – and all the folks you catch up with – have changed and evolved since the last CBC.

Craft Brewers Conference Primer: A Pre-Conference Reading List

Craft Brewers Conference Primer: A Pre-Conference Reading List

Before you head to Las Vegas for the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference, we’ve put together a primer of Brewers Association (BA) stories (and one video) from the past six months to help you prepare. Consider this the CliffsNotes version.

Allagash, Lawson’s Share Social Impact Reports

Allagash, Lawson’s Share Social Impact Reports

A pair of New England craft breweries have shared the results of their philanthropic efforts. Portland, Maine’s Allagash Brewing and Waitsfield, Vermont’s Lawson’s Finest Liquids each shared their respective impact reports this month.

Craft Brewers Are Convinced It’s Lager’s Year (For Real, This Time)

Craft Brewers Are Convinced It’s Lager’s Year (For Real, This Time)

In a time when it seems like just about anything can be an alcoholic beverage (Distilled Doritos Nacho Cheese, anyone?), some craft breweries have embraced the trend, expanding their portfolios with canned cocktails, flavored malt beverages (FMBs) and even bottled spirits.

Gambrinus Founder, Philanthropist Carlos Alvarez Has Died

Gambrinus Founder, Philanthropist Carlos Alvarez Has Died

Beer industry veteran Carlos Alvarez, who founded the Gambrinus Company and was the first to import Corona Extra to the U.S., died this week. Beer Business Daily first reported the news this morning, citing an internal message at the brewery, and other outlets, including the San Antonio Express-News, followed.