Great Northern Ginger Beer Announces Can Redesign and Lower ABV
Great Northern Ginger Beer, a prominent player in Australia’s alcohol ginger beer segment, announced a redesign effective immediately, changing its can size from 375ml to 330ml and reducing alcohol by volume (ABV) from 4% to 3.5%. The revision also lowers the retail price from $33 to $28 for a six-pack. The packaging refresh features a more prominent ginger orange scheme and replaces the previous orange marlin logo with a white one to better align with consumer preferences in the competitive ginger beer category.
Great Northern’s marketing leadership emphasizes that these changes provide consumers with more moderate drinking options while maintaining the brand’s signature crispness and taste profile, including the recognizable Queensland ginger note. Creative agency SICKDOGWOLFMAN led the design update aiming to modernize the look without compromising brand continuity. These adjustments are limited to the ginger beer variant and do not affect other Great Northern beer offerings (Asahi Beverages, 2025).
Craft Beer Market Expansion Driven by Microbreweries and Health Trends
On a global scale, the craft beer market is projected to exhibit robust growth, with IMARC Group forecasting it to reach USD 329.7 billion by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.74% from 2025. This growth is driven substantially by the expansion in the number of microbreweries and brewpubs worldwide, enriching consumer experience through direct interaction with brewers and innovative brewing techniques.
Health consciousness continues to shape the craft beer landscape, prompting brewers to develop low- and no-alcohol beer options. This shift aligns with increasing wellness trends, as consumers seek flavorful alternatives without compromising health goals. Reports indicate a projected 0.5% increase in health consciousness indexes by 2024-25, supporting demand for craft beer variants that cater to moderation and diverse consumer needs (IMARC Group, 2025).
US Craft Beer Sector Faces Market Contraction Amid Resilience of Small Breweries
Despite positive global trends, the U.S. craft beer industry faces challenges, according to the Brewers Association Midyear 2025 Report. The total number of craft breweries declined by 1% to 9,269, with microbreweries experiencing a 3% drop due to closures outpacing new openings. Craft beer production volume also contracted by an estimated 5%, with traditional distribution-focused breweries suffering the most significant impact.
Notably, smaller on-site brewers such as taprooms and brewpubs showed relative resilience, outpacing their distribution-oriented counterparts with marginal growth. Almost half (49%) of surveyed brewers reported year-over-year production growth, primarily among those producing under 1,000 barrels annually. This reflects a shift toward hyperlocal, experience-driven models that continue to attract craft beer drinkers, even amid overall market pressure (Brewers Association, 2025).
Emerging Industry Trend: Cannabis-Infused Beverages Cross Into Beer Category
The intersection of craft beer with cannabis-infused beverages represents a burgeoning category labeled as “The Fifth Category.” U.S. market research shows a rapidly expanding consumer base for cannabis products, with 78 million Americans self-identifying as cannabis consumers. This growth is partly due to perceptions of cannabis as a healthier alternative to alcohol, with 74% of cannabis consumers reducing their alcohol intake.
Industry innovators are blending traditional craft beverage expertise with cannabis elements, producing low-alcohol infused drinks that meet consumer demand for relaxation without hangovers. Some U.S. states, including Minnesota, are adapting regulations to permit THC-infused beverages in taprooms, bridging craft beer culture with cannabis consumption trends. Although precise sales data remain limited, this sector is poised to influence retail shelves throughout 2025 (Hop Culture, 2025).
Seasonal Beer Releases and Local Industry Highlights
Several seasonal beer launches and regional activities were announced recently. Karl Strauss Brewing is releasing its Oktoberfest Märzen Lager at nine Southern California brewpubs on September 2, 2025, tapping into the enduring popularity of traditional festival beers. Meanwhile, San Diego’s craft beer scene maintains vibrancy through ongoing events and new beer introductions at its 200-plus brewery venues, illustrating continuing consumer engagement at local levels (My BeerBuzz, 2025; San Diego Beer News, 2025).