Craft Beer Closures Surge and Big Brewers Consolidate: US Beer Industry Faces 2025 Shakeup
Sanitas Brewing Shuts Down All Taprooms Amid Market Maturity
Boulder-based **Sanitas Brewing Co.** closed its final taproom on December 20, 2025, marking the end of operations for the craft staple (Boulder Reporting Lab, December 21, 2025, https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/21/sanitas-brewing-co-closes-all-taprooms-marking-the-end-of-a-boulder-craft-beer-staple/). The brewery cited a maturing craft beer market, rising costs, and shifting consumer habits as key factors. CEO Michael Memsic noted that 10 to 15 breweries nationwide closed between December 20 and 23, with Colorado seeing multiple shutdowns including Trinity Brewing Co. on December 21 and Call to Arms Brewing Co. scheduled for December 23 (Boulder Reporting Lab, December 21, 2025, https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/21/sanitas-brewing-co-closes-all-taprooms-marking-the-end-of-a-boulder-craft-beer-staple/).
Memsic described the industry transitioning from explosive growth to a stable phase with steady winners and losers. Rising property values and limited capital access exacerbated challenges, despite post-pandemic expansions like new taprooms in Englewood in 2023 and Lafayette in 2024 (Boulder Reporting Lab, December 21, 2025, https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/21/sanitas-brewing-co-closes-all-taprooms-marking-the-end-of-a-boulder-craft-beer-staple/).
Anheuser-Busch Streamlines US Operations with Closures and Sale
**Anheuser-Busch** is shuttering breweries in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, in early 2026 while selling its Newark, New Jersey, facility to Goodman Group (Food Dive, December 2025, https://www.fooddive.com/news/anheuser-busch-closes-breweries-new-hampshire-california-sells-new-jersey/807759/). Production will shift to other US sites, impacting 475 employees who are offered relocation. The moves support investments in growing brands like Michelob Ultra and follow $2 billion in network upgrades, including $300 million for facilities in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Baldwinsville (Food Dive, December 2025, https://www.fooddive.com/news/anheuser-busch-closes-breweries-new-hampshire-california-sells-new-jersey/807759/).
Beer Business Daily reported the Newark sale and closures on December 12, 2025, as part of broader production shifts (Beer Business Daily, December 12, 2025, https://beernet.com/bbd/bbd-article/).
Craft Beer Production Grows Modestly Despite Headwinds
The US **craft beer production** market grew at a 1.8% CAGR from 2020 to 2025, with employment rising 23% between 2021 and 2022, adding nearly 6,000 jobs (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/). Revenue is forecast to increase at 1.6% CAGR through 2030, driven by direct-to-consumer channels like e-commerce and subscriptions. Ales, led by IPAs at 33.8% of revenue, face slowdowns due to consumer fatigue shifting to lighter options (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/).
On-Premise Trends Favor Low-ABV and Premium Craft
Early 2025 on-premise data shows **non-alcoholic beer** surging 33.7% year-over-year, with non-alcoholic IPAs and stouts up 170% and 130% respectively (CGA by NIQ, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/). A third of consumers seek healthier drinks, 25% plan to moderate alcohol, and 20% prioritize premium options. Draft beer holds 52.3% of on-premise volume, up 8.1% in distribution (CGA by NIQ, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/).
Industry-Wide Pressures Persist
Craft brewery numbers fell 1% to 9,269 by June 2025, with closures outpacing openings amid inflation, tariffs, and competition (Brewers Association, 2025, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/). Despite challenges, segments like low-ABV and experiential taprooms offer paths forward in a consolidating market.