Heineken Slashes 6,000 Jobs to Counter Declining Beer Volumes

**Heineken** announced plans to eliminate up to 6,000 roles, representing about 7% of its workforce, over the next two years. This move aims to cut costs amid a 1.2% volume drop in its 2025 fiscal year (Food Dive, 2026). Declining alcohol consumption and tariff-driven cost increases have pressured the sector, pushing brewers toward nonalcoholic segments (Food Dive, 2026).

The Dutch giant’s strategy includes supply chain streamlining via plant closures and brewery digitization. CFO Harold Broek highlighted these efforts during earnings calls (Food Dive, 2026). Heineken expects beer to rebound as a growth category medium-term, with its flagship brand volumes up 2.7% (Food Dive, 2026). In the U.S., focus sharpens on nonalcoholic Heineken Ultimate, a low-calorie option targeting sports and business occasions (Food Dive, 2026).

## BrewDog Explores Sale and Break-Up After Losses

**BrewDog**, the Scottish craft beer pioneer, hired restructuring firm AlixPartners to evaluate investment options, including a potential sale or business break-up (BMMagazine, 2026). This follows a £37m loss in 2025, job cuts, and closure of 10 UK bars, including its Aberdeen flagship (BMMagazine, 2026).

Founded in 2007, BrewDog operates internationally with bars in the US, Australia, and Germany, employing 1,400 people. The firm halted gin and vodka production to refocus on beer (BMMagazine, 2026). A spokesperson described the process as a disciplined step for long-term sustainability in a tough economy, with operations continuing normally (BMMagazine, 2026).

## Craft Beer Events Kick Off with Barleywine Festival

Horse Brass Pub launches its 2nd annual Old Tavern Rat Barleywine Invitational from February 16 through March 15, 2026. Weekly flights feature six barleywines, rotating through 24 over four weeks, with participant passports earning a rare Anchorage Brewing pour (New School Beer, 2026).

Week 1 highlights include Sunriver Brewing’s Bourbon Barrel American Barleywine 2024, Alesong’s Maestro English-style at 13.9% ABV, and Block 15’s Figgy Pudding Old Ale (New School Beer, 2026). Later weeks showcase Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and pFriem Family Brewers’ Amaro aged in Italian casks (New School Beer, 2026).

## Low and No-ABV Drives Craft Beer Expansion

The global craft beer market, valued at USD 134.60 billion in 2025, projects a 10.62% CAGR through 2032 (Stellar Market Research, 2026). Health trends fuel demand for low-alcohol, non-alcoholic, and gluten-free options, prompting brewery R&D for flavorful alternatives (Stellar Market Research, 2026).

Innovation in fermentation and ingredients enhances variety, while brewery tours build loyalty (Stellar Market Research, 2026). In 2026, U.S. breweries emphasize low/no-ABV, with nearly half of Americans cutting alcohol intake (Tastewise, 2026). Trends like hyper-localization and limited releases from local farms boost appeal (Tastewise, 2026).

Technique-driven brewing gains traction in the US and Canada, with consumers seeking processing insights and distinctive flavors, as in Untitled Art’s tropical beer (Innova Market Insights, 2026).