Daily Beer Industry Press Review
NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index Hits Highest Mark Since July 2025
The National Beer Wholesalers Association released the **Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI)** for January 2026, recording the highest reading since July 2025 with a **14-point jump from December** (NBWA, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/news/). This significant uptick signals renewed confidence among U.S. beer distributors after months of contractionary trends, including flat November and October readings of 25 and 24 respectively (NBWA, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/news/).
Wholesalers point to stabilizing demand and seasonal recovery as key drivers behind the **BPI rebound**, contrasting with earlier uncertainty in Q4 2025 (NBWA, January 2026, https://nbwa.org/news/).
Dutch Craft Brewers Conference Kicks Off Today in Netherlands
The **Dutch Craft Brewers Conference** takes place today, January 29, 2026, at the 1931 Congress Center in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, drawing industry leaders for lectures, workshops, and a trade show on production innovations and business strategies (Fermentis, January 2026, https://fermentis.com/en/news/events/dutch-beer-conference-january-2026/). Attendees will sample top Dutch beers amid discussions on the thriving local craft scene, fueled by rising popularity and government support (Fermentis, January 2026, https://fermentis.com/en/news/events/dutch-beer-conference-january-2026/).
Fermentis highlights the event as a prime networking hub for yeast and brewing solutions, underscoring Europe’s focus on craft beer advancements (Fermentis, January 2026, https://fermentis.com/en/news/events/dutch-beer-conference-january-2026/).
Reuben’s Brews Invests in Non-Alcoholic Beer Amid Declining Sales
Seattle’s **Reuben’s Brews** is expanding into **non-alcoholic beer** production, acquiring equipment to capitalize on growing demand as Washington state craft sales face headwinds (The Business Journals, January 20, 2026, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/01/20/reubens-brews-non-alcoholic-beer-grow-trend-retail.html). Founded in 2012 by Grace and Adam Robbing, the brewery navigates regulatory hurdles while betting on the **non-alc trend** to attract health-focused consumers (The Business Journals, January 20, 2026, https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/01/20/reubens-brews-non-alcoholic-beer-grow-trend-retail.html).
This move aligns with broader U.S. shifts where nearly half of consumers aim to drink less in 2026, boosting low- and no-ABV craft options (Tastewise, 2026, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends).
Craft Beer Market Eyes Health-Conscious Growth and Tech Innovations
Global **craft beer market** projections show a value of **USD 134.60 billion in 2025**, with a forecasted **CAGR of 10.62% from 2026 to 2032**, driven by low-alcohol, non-alcoholic, and gluten-free variants (Stellar Market Research, 2026, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409). Breweries innovate with advanced fermentation and novel ingredients to meet demands for complex flavors and healthier profiles (Stellar Market Research, 2026, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409).
**Asia-Pacific** emerges as a rapid-growth region, propelled by an expanding middle class, youth appeal, and tourism (Stellar Market Research, 2026, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409). In the U.S., craft held **over 13% market share in 2024**, with trends like hyper-localization and sustainable practices set to define 2026 (Tastewise, 2026, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends; Brewers Association, 2026, https://www.brewersassociation.org/news-archive/).
2026 Beer Style Guidelines Introduce Rice Lager
The **Brewers Association** unveiled its **2026 Beer Style Guidelines** on January 13, adding **Rice Lager** as a new category alongside updates to Belgian styles (Brewers Association, January 13, 2026, https://www.brewersassociation.org/news-archive/). These guidelines reflect evolving craft preferences for hybrid and low-ABV brews amid tighter market conditions (Brewers Association, January 13, 2026, https://www.brewersassociation.org/news-archive/).