## US Craft Beer Faces Wave of Closures in 2025
The American craft beer industry recorded 434 closures against 268 openings in 2025, reflecting intense pressures from rising costs and evolving consumer tastes (American Craft Beer, December 22, 2025, https://www.americancraftbeer.com/american-craft-beer-industry-faces-uncertain-future-christmas-2025/). By mid-year, operating breweries dropped 1% to 9,269, with closures outpacing openings amid persistent headwinds (Brewers Association, 2025, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/). Notable shutdowns include Sanitas Brewing Company in Colorado, which ceased operations by December 20, 2025, citing rising costs and slowing taproom traffic (The Street, 2025, https://www.thestreet.com/retail/another-popular-beer-brand-closes-forever-no-bankruptcy-filed), and Mad Pecker Brewing Co. in San Antonio, ending its 10-year run (My San Antonio, 2025, https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/article/mad-pecker-brewing-closing-21245530.php).
Surviving breweries are adapting through taprooms, low/no-ABV options, lagers, and direct-to-consumer channels, projected to drive a 1.6% CAGR through 2030 (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/; American Craft Beer, December 22, 2025, https://www.americancraftbeer.com/american-craft-beer-industry-faces-uncertain-future-christmas-2025/). Employment grew nearly 6,000 jobs from 2020 to 2025, enhancing taproom experiences despite profit squeezes (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/).
## Non-Alcoholic and Low-ABV Beers Dominate On-Premise Trends
On-premise non-alcoholic beer sales jumped 33.7% year-over-year in 2025, with non-alcoholic IPAs and stouts surging 170% and 130% respectively (Craft Brewing Business, CGA Report, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/). Ales, spearheaded by IPAs at 33.8% of revenue, encountered slowdowns due to **IPA fatigue** and demand for lighter beers (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/). Craft brewers are capitalizing on health trends, with 25% of consumers moderating alcohol and a third seeking healthier drinks (Craft Brewing Business, CGA Report, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/).
Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages gained 0.4 percentage points in market share, challenging traditional beer in high-energy venues (Craft Brewing Business, CGA Report, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/). Draft beer strengthened, holding 52.3% of on-premise volumes with an 8.1% rise in distribution points (Hop Culture, 2025, https://www.hopculture.com/top-craft-beer-trends-2025/).
## Regulatory Boosts and Extreme Beer Launches
New York Governor signed a bill on December 24, 2025, enhancing craft beverage manufacturing incentives (MidHudson News, December 24, 2025, https://midhudsonnews.com/2025/12/24/bill-to-increase-craft-beverage-manufacturing-signed-into-law/). Samuel Adams launched **Utopias 2025**, a 30% ABV barrel-aged beer banned in 15 states including Alabama, Georgia, and Utah due to its extreme strength (Fox News, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/iconic-american-brewer-launches-beer-so-strong-banned-15-states-what-know). Founder Jim Koch hailed it as a milestone in unrelenting craft innovation (Fox News, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/iconic-american-brewer-launches-beer-so-strong-banned-15-states-what-know).
Alamo Beer Co. found a buyer in SKJ Capital this past week, offering a positive note amid closures (VinePair, 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-industry-news-stories-2025-lookback/).
## Global Beer Market Expands Amid US Challenges
The global beer market reached **$804.65 billion** in 2025, forecasted to hit $998.98 billion by 2030 through premiumization and innovation (Beer Connoisseur, 2025, https://beerconnoisseur.com/beer-market-growth-trends-2025-2030/). US craft production grew at a 1.8% CAGR from 2020-2025, with future growth tied to experiential and direct channels (IBISWorld, 2025, https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/craft-beer-production/4302/).