Washington Breweries Transition to New Ownership Amid Regional Shifts
Island Hoppin’ Brewery in Washington state has new owners, Tyler and Heidi Otten, taking over on February 1, 2026, promising continuity in beer quality with collaborative brewing efforts (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). Crucible Brewing is rebranding to **Uneek Brewing** under Erik Andresen and Johanna Watson, awaiting liquor license approval to finalize the ownership change (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). At Large Brewing transitions to new owners on February 1, 2026, following founders’ retirement after nearly a decade (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/).
Redd Dog Brewing Company plans to close its Tacoma location and relocate to a former Black Fleet Brewing space, introducing a brewery-taproom-beer garden with Mexican cuisine by late summer or fall 2026 (Washington Beer Blog, January 2026, https://washingtonbeerblog.com/second-pours-washington-breweries-reopen-rebrand-and-reload/). These moves reflect ongoing consolidation in the U.S. craft sector.
Craft Beer Faces Continued Closures but Eyes Recovery Signs
For the second straight year, craft brewery closures outpace openings in the U.S., with nearly 9,800 firms remaining per Brewers Association data, though sales and volume declines exceed category averages (VinePair, late 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-stories-to-shape-2026/). No full turnaround expected in 2026, but potential indicators include volume growth matching the market, fewer closures, or expansion in the NBWA’s Beer Purchasers’ Index (VinePair, late 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-stories-to-shape-2026/).
The global **craft beer market** was valued at USD 134.60 billion in 2025, projected to grow at a **CAGR of 10.62%** from 2026 to 2032, driven by health trends like low-alcohol, non-alcoholic, and gluten-free options (Stellar Market Research, 2026, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409).
Big Beer Struggles as Lights Trail Market Performance
Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite lagged in off-premise dollars and volume through November 30, 2025, per Circana multi-outlet scan data covering grocery, mass retail, and convenience stores (VinePair, late 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-stories-to-shape-2026/). Anheuser-Busch InBev regains mid-tier influence post-Bud Light issues, with its consent decree expiring mid-2026, pressuring independent distributors in the “red network” (VinePair, late 2025, https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-stories-to-shape-2026/).
Emerging Trends: Low-ABV, Localization and Events
**Low and no-ABV** craft beers gain traction as nearly half of Americans aim to drink less in 2026, alongside hyper-localization using regional ingredients (Tastewise, 2026, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends). Lagers see premiumization and diversification in a maturing renaissance, emphasizing quality and value over novelty (Backbar Academy, 2026, https://academy.getbackbar.com/2026-beer-trends).
Europe’s Beer & Food Attraction 2026, February 15-17 in Rimini, spotlights alcohol-free beverages and mixology growth (FNB News, recent, https://www.fnbnews.com/Top-News/beer–food-attraction-2026-to-spotlight-alcoholfree-beverages–mixology-growth-85932). Beer Experience returns to Antwerp on February 23, 2026, featuring talks, networking, and a Russian Imperial Stout tapping by master brewer Sven De Kleermaeker (British Guild of Beer Writers, recent, https://www.beerguild.co.uk/news/beer-experience-returns-to-antwerp).
Asia-Pacific craft beer markets project rapid growth from consumer shifts, middle-class expansion, and government support (Stellar Market Research, 2026, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409). These developments signal a **re-balancing** toward sessionable, value-driven beers amid economic pressures (Backbar Academy, 2026, https://academy.getbackbar.com/2026-beer-trends).