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.
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.
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 U.S. market was somewhat prepared for President Donald Trump to enact tariffs during his presidency, as promised during his campaign. But it wasn’t prepared for how “aggressive” those tariffs would be, including the speed and extent of their implementation, Rabobank global strategist, beverages, Stephen Rannekleiv said Thursday during a webinar hosted by the Brewers Association (BA).
Craft mergers in Massachusetts continue apace. Orleans-based Hog Island Beer Co. has struck a deal to acquire Plymouth-based Mayflower Brewing, the companies announced this week. The acquisition brings together two breweries who sit across Cape Cod Bay from one another.
Westbound & Down Brewing Company is aiming to quadruple its production and achieve $3 million in profits by 2028. The Colorado craft brewery, with five taprooms across the state (Denver, Idaho Springs, Lafayette, Basalt and Aspen), is in the midst of a $1.2 million crowdfunding (CF) raise.
Nearly 60 industry members have furthered their education and technical skills in brewing and distilling thanks to the support of the Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), according to the nonprofit’s impact report, released last month.
Craft brewers’ collective production declined 4% in 2024, to 23.1 million barrels of beer produced, the Brewers Association (BA) shared today in the release of its annual craft brewing production report. The trade group representing small and independent craft breweries described 2024’s numbers as “highlighting the new realities of a maturing market in a rapidly evolving environment.”
The craft-on-craft partnership trend has reached the Bay Area. San Francisco-based Fort Point Beer Co. and Sonoma County-headquartered HenHouse Brewing Company are merging to form Fort Point HenHouse Inc.
Family-owned, boutique craft distributor VT Beer Shepherd has sold part of its portfolio, including the distribution rights to Lawson’s Finest Liquids, and has ceased operations. Baker Distributing in Colchester, Vermont, has acquired the distribution rights to Lawson’s Finest and other brands from VT Beer Shepherd.
Monster Brewing will cease operations in Utah late next month, the company announced Thursday. Production of its Utah-based brands Wasatch Brewing and Squatters Brewing will shift to other facilities within Monsters’ bicoastal network, according to a statement from Monster Brewing president Ray LaRue.
BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker joins this week’s Brewbound Podcast to share the scuttlebutt from DISCUS’ annual meeting, including tariff talk, trends to watch, distributor consolidation and supplier jumps to beer distributors. Plus, Justin and Zoe share their experiences after attending Bell’s Oberon Day in Kalamazoo, Michigan and break down the latest craft-on-craft deal activity in Colorado.
Craft off-premise declines accelerated last month, which should come as no surprise to anyone keeping up with March scans and data reports. In the last four weeks (ending March 23), craft beer dollar sales declined 5.1% year-over-year (YoY) and volume, measured in case sales, fell 6.4%, in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (total U.S. multi-outlet, plus convenience), according to the market research firm’s latest monthly report.
Canadian cannabis giant Tilray Brands recorded a 1% year-over-year (YoY) net revenue decline across all its business ventures in Q3, but the latest financials are simply growing pains as the company continues to streamline and consolidate its business, leadership shared today during the company’s quarterly earnings call with investors and analysts.
Sierra Nevada’s Big Little Thing IPA is getting a second act. The imperial IPA has been reformulated as a juicy hazy IPA with the ABV amped up to 9.5% from 9%. Although Big Little Thing has been a top-30 craft brand in off-premise scans, the brand’s trends have trended down since 2023.
The Brewers Association (BA) announced the recipients of the trade group’s annual Industry Awards today, recognizing “individuals and groups that have made a significant impact on the craft beer community.”
At a time when brewers are exploring spirits and ready-to-drink offerings as avenues for incremental revenue, Michigan-based spirits producer Benchmark Beverage Company is doing something similar: bolting on beer brands to expand its portfolio.