Explore the world of craft beer, from performance reports and innovation tactics to the state of the industry and breaking news.
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.
Around 10,000 industry members are expected to make the trip to Indianapolis for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America (April 28 to May 1). The gathering takes place against a backdrop of growing headwinds for craft breweries and an overhaul of CBC’s host organization, the Brewers Association.
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%.
Mid-Atlantic brewpub chain Iron Hill Brewery abruptly closed its 16 remaining locations overnight, weeks after it shuttered three in a move that a spokesperson at the time said was “to position Iron Hill for long-term success.”
Ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) remain one of the hottest segments in bev-alc, seemingly avoiding the quick rise and fall of the former new kid in town, hard seltzer (for now). Even the previously formidable flavored malt beverage (FMB) segment is starting to see the impact of consumers moving away to the more premium, typically spirits-based offerings.
Aslin Beer Co., the country’s third-largest taproom brewer by volume, and Torch & Crown Brewing have merged to form the Driven Collective. The platform will combine Alexandria, Virginia-headquartered Aslin’s production capacity and Torch & Crown’s distribution arm in New York City to “unlock smarter growth, fuel creativity and prove that craft still has room to run,” according to a press release.
New Belgium Brewing is investing $20 million in Bell’s Brewery’s Kalamazoo production facility and Eccentric Cafe taproom, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reported.
Charlie Sheen is the latest celebrity wading into the non-alcoholic beer business. The Hollywood star has teamed up with Barrel One Collective’s Harpoon Brewery and “innovation brand shop” The Silent Group to create Wild AF Brewing.
Summer ended with Dogfish Head riding momentum in both canned cocktails and its beer portfolio.
I’ve been around craft beer long enough to see the word “craft” stretch, bend, and in some cases, break. Today, though, “craft” is everywhere – and sometimes nowhere …
Draft beer remains the dominating sales driver for taprooms, but breweries may need to expand their menus (and hours) if they want consumers to keep coming back, according to a new report from the Brewers Association (BA), citing taproom point-of-sale data from Arryved.
Antigua Brewing Company has closed its sole location in San Luis Obispo, California, after four years in operation, the SLO Tribune reported. The shuttering has been characterized as an abrupt move.
Other Half Brewing is used to large growth targets, posting double-digit volume growth nearly every year since its inception in 2014, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA).
Crane Brewing (Raytown, Missouri), has closed after 11 years. In its early days, the brewery built its name on the homebrew and beer fest circuit with namesake Michael Crane’s sour ales and magenta-hued beet beer.
Boston Beer Company is willing to fail fast with new fourth category products in order to find its next big brand, founder and CEO Jim Koch shared during last week’s Barclays’ Global Consumer Staples Conference.
Sierra Nevada’s willingness to enter new segments and styles hinges on a pair of key factors, CEO Pryce Greenow told Brewbound.
Nearly five months after ceasing production at its hometown brewery, Tilray-owned Hop Valley (Eugene, Oregon) will close the brewery’s taproom as it scouts a new location, a spokesperson told Brewbound.
