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Beer Industry Trends 2026: Craft Brewers Face Tariffs, Lager Boom and Speed-to-Market ShiftThe beer sector enters 2026 with tightening economics pushing breweries toward efficiency, premium value, and innovative styles amid rising costs from aluminum tariffs. Industry observers highlight a barbell market where macro brands dominate value sales while craft focuses on luxury experiences (SevenFifty Daily, 2026).Aluminum Tariffs Squeeze Craft ProductionAluminum tariffs have increased prices by more than 25%, compelling craft brewers to absorb losses or reduce niche beer output (Packaging Digest, 2026). Smaller operations face heightened pressure as material costs for cans escalate, threatening margins in a competitive landscape.Lager Renaissance ...
Craft Beer Trends 2026: Lager Renaissance, Low-ABV Surge, and New Competitions Reshape the IndustryThe craft beer sector enters 2026 with a focus on balanced growth, driven by consumer demand for value-driven, sessionable styles amid economic pressures (Protis Global, 2026). US craft beer production is projected to expand at a 4.1% CAGR, a slowdown from prior double-digit rates, signaling a mature market prioritizing quality over expansion (Brewers Association, 2025).Lager Renaissance Defines Premium Value ShiftCraft lagers have matured into a premium category, with consumers favoring crisp, refreshing profiles executed to perfection (Backbar Academy, 2026). This trend, described as the 'lager renaissance,' reflects ...
Washington Breweries Transition to New Ownership Amid Regional Shifts Island Hoppin’ Brewery in Washington state has new owners, Tyler and Heidi Otten, taking over on February 1, 2026, promising continuity in beer quality with collaborative brewing efforts (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). Crucible Brewing is rebranding to **Uneek Brewing** under Erik Andresen and Johanna Watson, awaiting liquor license approval to finalize the ownership change (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). At Large Brewing transitions to new owners on February 1, 2026, following founders' retirement after nearly a decade (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). Redd Dog Brewing Company plans ...
US Beer Wholesaler Index Surges 14 Points in January 2026 as Constellation Stabilizes Amid Craft Low-ABV Trends The **US beer market** displayed robust recovery signals in January 2026, with the **Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI)** reaching its highest level since July 2025, marking a 14-point increase from December (National Beer Wholesalers Association, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/press-release/january-bpi-sees-significant-bump-from-december/). All segments except cider recorded gains, reflecting distributor confidence in upcoming demand. Constellation Brands Posts Strong Q3 Results **Constellation Brands** exceeded third-quarter expectations, injecting optimism into a tough US beverage alcohol landscape. Beer sales declined by just 1%, an improvement over the prior 7% drop, despite ...
Daily Beer Industry Press Review NBWA Beer Purchasers' Index Hits Highest Mark Since July 2025 The National Beer Wholesalers Association released the **Beer Purchasers' Index (BPI)** for January 2026, recording the highest reading since July 2025 with a **14-point jump from December** (NBWA, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/news/). This significant uptick signals renewed confidence among U.S. beer distributors after months of contractionary trends, including flat November and October readings of 25 and 24 respectively (NBWA, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/news/). Wholesalers point to stabilizing demand and seasonal recovery as key drivers behind the **BPI rebound**, contrasting with earlier uncertainty in Q4 2025 (NBWA, January ...
US Beer Market Rebounds with January BPI Surge and Craft Trends Heating Up in 2026US beer distributors report a strong rebound in January 2026, with the Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) surging to its highest level since July 2025.NBWA BPI Hits Highest Mark Since July 2025The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) released its Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) for January 2026, recording a 14-point jump from December and marking the highest reading since July 2025 (NBWA, 2026).All segments except cider posted higher month-over-month readings. The below premium index reached 50, the first such reading in over a year, up 10 points from ...
