Anheuser-Busch to sell Newark brewery and close two U.S. plants
**Anheuser-Busch announced the sale of its historic Newark, New Jersey brewery and the planned closure of facilities in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, as part of a U.S. manufacturing optimisation that will shift production across its network** (Fox Business, 2025). The company said the moves will affect 475 full-time employees and that impacted staff will be offered relocation with stipends or severance packages if they decline transfers (Fox Business, 2025). The Merrimack closure alone affects roughly 125 full-time roles and has raised local concerns about economic impact on municipal finances and vendor relationships (Vermont Public, 2025). The company framed the strategy as reinvestment in remaining operations and growth brands (Fox Business, 2025). Source: Fox Business, 2025, Vermont Public, 2025.
Pabst Brewing Co. announces layoffs; WARN Act lawsuit filed
**Pabst Brewing Co. confirmed a recent round of layoffs in its San Antonio office and is facing a lawsuit alleging failure to provide the 60-day WARN Act notice to affected employees** (KSAT, 2025). The complaint, filed Dec. 9, contends that approximately 60–70 employees were permanently laid off in December 2025 without required notice and seeks 60 days’ pay and related costs (KSAT, 2025). At publication no WARN notice had been filed with the Texas Workforce Commission, according to reporting (KSAT, 2025). Source: KSAT, 2025.
Industry consolidation and capacity rationalisation continue among major brewers
**Recent plant sales and closures by large brewers highlight ongoing consolidation and optimisation of production footprints across the U.S. market** (Beer Business Daily, 2025). Major brewers are communicating network-wide shifts that reassign production to fewer, more modernised facilities while pledging investments in remaining sites; companies cite efficiency and strategic allocation of capital as drivers (Beer Business Daily, 2025). Source: Beer Business Daily, 2025.
On-premise and non-alcoholic segments drive craft brewer strategy
**On-premise consumer data and trade reporting show continued premiumisation and strong growth in non-alcoholic and low-ABV beer categories, prompting craft brewers to expand lower-ABV portfolios and premium limited releases** (Craft Brewing Business, 2025). The On Premise Impact data noted non-alcoholic beer growth on-premise of roughly 33.7% year-over-year and remarkable gains for non-alcoholic IPAs and stouts, signaling opportunity for craft brewers to capture health-conscious and moderating-drinker segments (Craft Brewing Business, 2025). Source: Craft Brewing Business, 2025.
Market research: craft beer sector outlook and growth projections
**Market analysis continues to project robust medium-term expansion for the global craft beer market, driven by consumer demand for unique and local flavours, premium experiences and health-oriented options** (IMARC Group, 2025). IMARC’s projections estimate a significant CAGR through the 2025–2033 period and place Europe as a leading regional market share as of 2024 (IMARC Group, 2025). Source: IMARC Group, 2025.
Trends signalling strategic pivots for brewers in 2026
**Trade and trend coverage emphasise hyper-local sourcing, hybrid and experimental styles, and sustainability as critical axes for product differentiation in 2026, alongside the growth of limited releases as experience-driven revenue for small brewers** (Tastewise, 2025; Hop Culture, 2025). These trend signals pair with distribution pressures and SKU rationalisation noted across industry commentaries, underlining that craft brands must balance innovation with commercial discipline (Tastewise, 2025; Crafty Pint, 2025). Source: Tastewise, 2025; Hop Culture, 2025; The Crafty Pint, 2025.
Source: Fox Business, 2025, Vermont Public, 2025, KSAT, 2025, Beer Business Daily, 2025, Craft Brewing Business, 2025, IMARC Group, 2025, Tastewise, 2025, Hop Culture, 2025, The Crafty Pint, 2025.