Daily Press Review: Beer Industry Headlines
Constellation Brands Delivers Strong Q3 Amid Stabilizing Beer Sales
Constellation Brands reported unexpectedly strong third quarter results, exceeding forecasts and providing optimism in a tough US beverage alcohol market. Beer sales fell by 1% in the quarter, an improvement from the prior 7% drop. (The Drinks Business, 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/)
Shares rose 3% after losing 37% of value in 2025, with analysts predicting gradual recovery. Demand for **Modelo Especial** and **Corona** softened due to President Trump’s 50% tariffs on aluminium, which makes up 41% of the company’s Mexican beer packaging, and impacts on Hispanic consumers from immigration policies. (The Drinks Business, 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/)
Commodity brands like **Pacifico**, **Victoria**, **Corona Sunbrew**, and **Corona Familiar** saw upturns as household budgets tightened. CEO Bill Newlands noted the beer business achieved dollar and volume share gains in tracked channels. The company forecasts annual earnings per share between $9.72 and $10.02, with organic net sales declining 4-6%, beer sales dropping 2-4%. (The Drinks Business, 2026, https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/constellation-brands-beats-forecasts-as-beer-stabilises/)
Boston Beer Faces Twisted Tea Decline While Innovating with Vodka Tea
Boston Beer posted Q3 revenue of $537.5 million, down 11.2% year-over-year, but expanded gross margins to 50.8% by shifting 90% of production in-house. **Twisted Tea**, a $1.2 billion brand, fell 5% in measured channels, outpacing the flavored malt beverage category’s 3% decline. (247 Wall St, 2026, https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/01/13/one-beer-maker-bets-on-vodka-tea-innovation-as-its-rival-defends-legacy-brands/)
CEO Jim Koch highlighted sensitivity among Twisted Tea drinkers to economic pressures and lower household incomes. The newer **Sun Cruiser** brand offset about 20% of Twisted Tea’s volume loss, proving revenue and margin accretive. Both Boston Beer and rival Molson Coors grapple with industry headwinds like economic uncertainty affecting beer demand. (247 Wall St, 2026, https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/01/13/one-beer-maker-bets-on-vodka-tea-innovation-as-its-rival-defends-legacy-brands/)
Brewers Association Releases 2026 Beer Style Guidelines
The **Brewers Association** launched its 2026 Beer Style Guidelines, introducing **Rice Lager** as a new category and updating several Belgian and German styles. These guidelines support brewers in maintaining consistency and innovation in craft beer production. (Brewers Association, 2026, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2026-beer-style-guidelines-now-available/)
Craft Beer Trends Point to Lagers, Low-ABV, and Local Focus for 2026
The lager renaissance continues into 2026, with crisp, balanced brews dominating tap lists after years of hazy IPAs. **Low-ABV** and **non-alcoholic** beers see double-digit growth in North America, becoming core offerings for health-conscious consumers. (The Growler Guys, 2026, https://thegrowlerguys.com/beer-trends-to-watch-in-2026/)
Hyper-local brewing, using ingredients from nearby farms and foragers, strengthens community ties. Technology like AI recipe development and sustainable practices help optimize quality and reduce waste. Elevated taproom experiences with food, events, and music turn breweries into hubs amid flattening production volumes. (The Growler Guys, 2026, https://thegrowlerguys.com/beer-trends-to-watch-in-2026/)
US craft beer growth slows to 4.1% CAGR per Brewers Association’s 2025 analysis, shifting focus to share gains and adjacent categories like premium non-alcoholic options. Consumers prioritize quality over novelty, valuing consistency and alignment with personal standards. (Protis Global, 2026, https://protisglobal.com/articles/beers-great-reset-how-the-industry-is-leaning-into-2026)