The 2025 New Zealand Beer Awards highlighted Brave Brewing Co of Hastings as the standout brewery, securing eight trophies including Champion New Zealand Brewing Company and Champion New Zealand Small Brewery. Brave Brewing also made history by winning three beer category trophies simultaneously for the first time in 18 years: International Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, and Speciality & Experimental (Beer & Brewer, 2025). The awards evaluated 625 beers from 70 breweries, showcasing the high level of technical excellence and innovation prevalent in New Zealand’s craft beer segment.
Alongside Brave Brewing’s success, Wellington’s Garage Project earned four trophies with the highest overall medal count, including Champion New Zealand Large Brewery and Champion New Zealand Beer for its Chance, Luck and Magic 2021 blend. Queenstown’s Altitude Brewing was recognized as Champion New Zealand Medium Brewery, reinforcing the strength of craft beer in regional markets (Beer & Brewer, 2025).
On a global scale, the craft beer market is projected to grow significantly, with recent data estimating expansion from USD 110.94 billion in 2025 to USD 263.73 billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. Asia Pacific is identified as the largest market region, driven by consumer demand for unique and flavorful beers, beer tourism, and wide retail availability including off-trade channels such as supermarkets and e-commerce (Towards FNB, 2025).
Despite mixed signals in some mature markets like the US, where the Brewers Association reported a 5% volume decline forecast for craft beer in 2025, optimism remains among smaller breweries and taproom operators who have slightly outperformed distribution-focused businesses. Shifts toward premiumization and innovative flavored beers continue to offer growth potential amid rationalization in retail shelf space and changing consumer spending habits (The Drinks Business, 2025).
Viña Concha y Toro, a key beverage player combining premium wines and craft beer portfolios, reported a 2.3% increase in consolidated revenue to US$499.18 million in the first half of 2025. Its strategic investment in Chilean premium craft brewer Cervecería Kross has contributed to double-digit beer revenue growth domestically, offsetting declines observed in the US market (The Drinks Business, 2025; Wine Business, 2025).
Non-alcoholic beer is another rapidly expanding sector, with the Beer Institute reporting year-to-date growth of 22.2% in 2025 and a 30.8% spike in July 2024 sales. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are driving demand for alcohol-free alternatives, with 61% indicating preference for NA beer options and 57% saying they would spend longer at venues offering such selections (Craft Brewing Business, 2025).
The San Diego Brewers Guild recently convened its 2025 Craft Beer Con, focusing on education and trends in one of the US’s most influential craft beer markets. The ongoing event illustrates the vitality and community engagement within the craft beer industry even amid sector challenges (San Diego Beer News, 2025).