San Antonio Breweries Face Sudden Closures as Market Shifts
San Antonio’s beer scene is experiencing a notable contraction, with three prominent breweries—Künstler Tap Haus, Freetail Brewing Co (Southtown), and Faust Brewing Company—announcing sudden closures in October 2025 (The Drinks Business, October 2025, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/is-san-antonios-beer-scene-disappearing/). Künstler Tap Haus cited ongoing construction blocking access as a primary challenge, while Freetail will continue North Side operations but halted broader retail distribution. Faust Brewing is set to close permanently on October 31, though its sister location remains open. Rising ingredient costs, slower taproom traffic, and increased competition from beer alternatives are driving this shake-up. The Texas Craft Brewers Guild reports more brewery closings than openings last year, signaling a possible wider market contraction echoing trends seen in Austin and Houston (The Drinks Business, October 2025, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/is-san-antonios-beer-scene-disappearing/).
Global Craft Beer Market Forecast: Growth Amid Regional Variations
The global craft beer market is projected to reach $111.3 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% through 2032 (Metastat Insight, October 2025, https://www.metastatinsight.com/report/craft-beer-market). By 2032, the market could hit $214 billion, driven by collaborations between brewers and hospitality groups, digital innovation, and a focus on unique flavors and small-batch production. North America, particularly the United States, continues to see craft beer transition from niche to mainstream, while Canada and Mexico show growing urban microbrewery activity. In contrast, Europe still leads globally, holding a 38.1% market share in 2023, buoyed by premiumization, tourism, and a strong beer tradition (IMARC Group, October 2025, https://www.imarcgroup.com/craft-beer-market).
U.S. Craft Beer Production Declines for the First Time in Years
U.S. craft beer production fell nearly 4% in 2024, the first decline after years of steady growth (American Craft Beer, October 2025, https://www.americancraftbeer.com/why-u-s-craft-beer-production-is-declining-and-whats-brewing-next/). Smaller breweries report shrinking margins, higher ingredient costs, and fierce competition. With over 9,500 breweries nationwide, market saturation is evident, and many operations are scaling back. Despite this, the Brewers Association notes that while closures outpace openings, the number of operating breweries in June 2025 was 9,269, just 1% lower than the previous year (Brewers Association, October 2025, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/).
Digital Innovation: Beer Gram Launches Brewery-First Ecosystem
Beer Gram, a new digital platform for breweries, launched on October 31, 2025, offering free digital menu boards, a brewery-centric social network, and an AI-powered assistant named Half Pint (San Diego Beer News, October 2025, https://sandiegobeer.news/beer-gram-launching-october-31/). Designed as an alternative to Untappd, Beer Gram emphasizes direct customer engagement, marketing automation, and real-time menu updates. The platform also introduces “Pint It Forward,” a digital gifting feature that supports local breweries. This launch reflects a broader industry shift toward digital tools for brewery operations and customer retention.
Consumer Trends: Health, Premiumization, and Value Drive On-Premise Behavior
CGA’s On Premise Impact Report highlights that over 75% of U.S. consumers dined out in early 2025, with half visiting bars (CGA by NIQ, October 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/). Health-conscious choices are rising, with a third of consumers opting for healthier food and drinks and 25% moderating alcohol intake. Premiumization remains strong, as 20% seek higher-quality beverages, but value is equally important—nearly 50% of on-premise visitors prioritize good value, and 30% look for deals. Food and beer pairings are increasingly popular, offering craft brewers opportunities to enhance customer experiences.
Major Brewers Face Ongoing Challenges
Boston Beer Company reported a 13.7% year-over-year decline in distributor shipments and an 11.2% revenue shortfall in Q3 2025 (VinePair, October 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-boston-beer-co-cant-shake-beyond-beer-curse/). Heineken USA also saw double-digit sales declines, while AB InBev and Molson Coors face similar pressures. Despite cost-cutting and margin improvements, the overall beer category remains under pressure from shifting consumer preferences and competitive alternatives.