Craft Beer Market Shows Resilience Despite Industry Pressures
The U.S. craft beer sector is experiencing a notable shift with a 1% decline in the number of operating breweries as of June 2025, totaling 9,269 craft breweries (Brewers Association, 2025). The sector is seeing a 5% drop in overall production year-over-year, with microbreweries particularly impacted by a 3% decline in numbers. However, about half of surveyed brewers are reporting production growth, mainly small breweries producing under 1,000 barrels annually, indicating that hyperlocal, on-site taprooms and brewpubs remain the most resilient in this challenging environment (Brewers Association, 2025). Consumer data show increased occasional craft beer drinkers, though frequency is down amid economic pressures (Brewers Association, 2025). Globally, the craft beer market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.74% from 2025 to 2033 and reach USD 329.7 billion by 2033, driven by the proliferation of microbreweries and brewpubs providing innovative, experiential offerings (IMARC Group, 2024).
Strategic Leadership and Business Developments in Brewing
In the United States, Boston Beer Company has appointed its founder Jim Koch as CEO again to address recent sales declines and evolving consumer tastes, highlighting the company’s strategic pivot in a competitive market (Inside.Beer, 2025). In Germany, Oettinger Brewery announced the closure of its historic Braunschweig brewery after 150 years, resulting in 150 job cuts, reflecting ongoing consolidation in Europe’s beer manufacturing sector (Inside.Beer, 2025). Meanwhile, Hofbräuhaus Munich named Dr. Jörg Lehmann, an executive with experience at Paulaner and Kulmbach, as its new leader, signaling a leadership renewal at a major state brewery (Inside.Beer, 2025). In the Netherlands, Refresco recruited Nestlé veteran Steve Presley as CEO, aiming to accelerate innovation and global growth in beverage production (Inside.Beer, 2025).
Regulatory Changes and New Product Launches Influence Market Dynamics
Latvia implemented a nationwide ban on night-time alcohol sales, including restrictions on advertising and online alcohol delivery, underscoring tightening regulatory measures across Europe (Inside.Beer, 2025). Spain’s Mahou San Miguel launched “Refeel,” a 100% natural energy drink, marking the brewery’s entry into the fast-growing energy beverage segment (Inside.Beer, 2025). In Kenya, Diageo is reportedly reviewing its Beer East Africa Limited (EABL) stake with Goldman Sachs and Bank of America involved, reflecting potential shifts in ownership and market strategy in Africa’s beer sector (Inside.Beer, 2025).
Craft and Themed Beer Festivals Return to Spotlight
Brewery Ommegang’s annual event, Belgium Comes to Cooperstown, returned August 22–24, 2025 with a bold Wild West theme bringing over 100 Belgian-style beers to New York State. The festival emphasizes experiential engagement with innovative brews and entertainment to bolster consumer appeal for Belgian and Belgian-style beers (Brewery Ommegang, 2025).
Wild Brew 2025 in Tulsa continues to combine local cuisine with a wide selection of craft beers and spirits, featuring live music and educational activities that support bird conservation efforts. This event illustrates the growing trend of combining lifestyle and environmental causes with beer culture (WildBrew, 2025).
Emerging Trends: Cannabis-Infused Beverages Enter Beer Scene
A major trend to watch in 2025 is the rise of cannabis-infused beverages, merging craft beer culture with the expanding cannabis market in the U.S. With 78 million Americans consuming cannabis and increased demand for healthier lifestyle options, innovative “fifth category” drinks containing hemp, THC, or CBD are gaining traction. Minnesota’s new legislation permitting THC-infused drinks in taprooms exemplifies this crossover, setting new product development directions for brewers and allied industries (Hop Culture, 2025).