Beer Industry 2026: NA Beer Surge, Craft Closures, and Premium Shifts Reshape Global Market
Non-alcoholic beer launches dominate early 2026 amid Dry January campaigns, while craft breweries grapple with ongoing closures and the global market eyes premiumization for growth.
Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom Fuels January Launches
Athletic Brewing relaunches **Athletic January** with on-premise activations and bold-flavor innovations to capitalize on rising demand for flavorful NA options (Craft Brewing Business, 2026).
Reuben’s Brews in Seattle launches the **Party On NA Beer Run**, a beer mile event celebrating non-alcoholic brews as moderation trends gain traction (Brewpublic, 2026).
Anheuser-Busch rolls out **Michelob ULTRA Zero Lime**, expanding its fast-growing non-alcohol portfolio with new flavors hitting shelves this January (Anheuser-Busch, 2026).
These moves align with the **non-alc mandate** in 2026 forecasts, where nearly half of Americans aim to drink less, driving low- and no-ABV craft alternatives (Tastewise, 2026).
Craft Beer Sector Faces Second Year of Closures
Craft brewing records more closures than openings for the second straight year, with nearly 9,800 firms but sales declines outpacing the category through November 2025 (Vinepair, 2026; Brewers Association via Vinepair, 2026).
Batavia’s Beers of the World store shuts by end-February 2026, citing economic pressures, declining beverage-alcohol sales, financial strains, and health awareness (WXXI News, 2026).
Big Three lagers—Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite—trail market growth in off-premise dollars and volume per Circana data through November 2025 (Vinepair, 2026).
Analysts question if 2026 stabilizes craft or deepens contraction, with volume and dollar growth needed to match or beat the category (Vinepair, 2026).
Premiumization Trends Drive Packaging and Flavor Shifts
Cans approach bottles’ 45-46% revenue share, gaining favor for e-commerce and premium craft packaging (Torg, 2026).
Nearly half of small brewers report growth despite volume drops, powered by craft, premium, and low-ABV segments (Torg, 2026).
Europe emphasizes sustainability and zero-alcohol, while Asian and Latin American imports target niches (Torg, 2026).
Global beer market grows at 4.1% CAGR, reaching USD 802.34 billion in 2026 on craft demand (Coherent Market Insights, 2026).
Premiumization features fruit-infused, spiced, barrel-aged, and sour beers, with craft leading experimental limited editions (MarkNtel Advisors, 2025).
Independent Light Beer Challenges Legacy Brands
Outlaw Light Beer ends 2025 as the fastest-growing independent light beer in the U.S., securing major chain partnerships and national recognition (PRNewswire, 2026).
Brewed by Tivoli Brewing Company, Outlaw enters 2026 positioned to compete with legacy domestic light beers through retail performance and premium quality (PRNewswire, 2026).
CEO Ari Opsahl notes focus on shelf pull-through and incremental growth over outspending rivals (PRNewswire, 2026).
Global Expansions and Market Projections
An Indian craft brewer backed by Kirin Holdings plans a USD 70 million facility and 2026 public listing to challenge global brands (Coherent Market Insights, 2026).
Global beer market projects 4.10% growth during 2026-32, driven by craft demand, premiumization, low/no-alc variants, and e-commerce (MarkNtel Advisors, 2025).
Craft beer market, valued at USD 106.4 billion in 2024, eyes USD 179.43 billion by 2030 at 9.10% CAGR (MarkNtel Advisors, 2025).
Trends like hyper-localization, hybrid styles, fruited sours, and sustainable solutions shape 2026 craft innovations (Tastewise, 2026).
(Birrup.com, January 6, 2026, https://birrup.com/2026/01/06/beer-industry-2026-na-surge-craft-closures-and-premium-shifts-reshape-global-market/)
(Vinepair, 2026, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-stories-to-shape-2026/)
(PRNewswire, January 6, 2026, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outlaw-light-closes-2025-as-a-category-challenger-and-positioned-for-accelerated-growth-in-2026-302654092.html)
(Tastewise, 2026, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends)