THE LATEST NEWS
Asahi moves into Africa with Diageo’s East Africa unit acquisition Asahi Group Holdings announced it will acquire Diageo’s alcohol business in East Africa, marking the Japanese brewer’s first major expansion into the continent (The Japan Times, 2025). The deal covers operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and values the transaction at ¥465.4 billion, with closing expected in the second half of 2026 (The Japan Times, 2025). Asahi cited steady growth in beer demand driven by population and economic expansion in the three markets and plans to leverage locally established brands and distribution networks while maintaining supply relationships for some Diageo ...
Craft Beer Closures Surge in 2025: Volume Declines, Rogue Ales Shuts Down Amid Market HeadwindsCraft beer volume continued to weaken in the second half of 2025, with scan data showing a 5% decline in the first half and further softening in Q3 (Shanken News Daily, December 16, 2025, https://www.shankennewsdaily.com/2025/12/16/38833/craft-beer-volume-slows-further-in-second-half/). The Brewers Association reported 268 new brewery openings against 434 closures year-to-date, marking the second consecutive year where closings outpaced openings (Shanken News Daily, December 16, 2025, https://www.shankennewsdaily.com/2025/12/16/38833/craft-beer-volume-slows-further-in-second-half/). Closures represent just 4.4% of total operating breweries, a low figure compared to broader leisure and hospitality sectors (Shanken News Daily, December 16, ...
Anheuser-Busch shifts U.S. production, closes two breweries and sells Newark site Anheuser‑Busch announced plans to shutter its Fairfield, California and Merrimack, New Hampshire breweries and has sold its Newark, New Jersey facility, shifting production into its remaining U.S. network as part of a broader manufacturing consolidation (Food Dive, 2025). The company said the moves will allow reinvestment in the remaining operations and growing brands while offering affected employees roles elsewhere in the company, with roughly 475 full‑time positions impacted by this round of changes (Food Dive, 2025). Observers note the closures follow a multi‑year modernization program that includes nearly $2 ...
Craft Beer Trends 2025: Declining Sales, Rising Projections, and Innovation Amid HeadwindsNationwide craft beer revenue in the U.S. has hovered near or below zero growth between 2022 and 2025, according to an IBISWorld report (Flathead Beacon, 2025). Breweries face persistent year-to-year revenue swings as the **'drink less, drink better'** mindset gains traction among younger consumers (Flathead Beacon, 2025).U.S. Craft Beer Production Declines SharplyCraft beer production dropped **3.9%** last year compared to 2023, with overall beer market down **1.2%**, per Brewers Association data (Flathead Beacon, 2025). In Montana, craft beer output fell **5%** in the same period and **12%** from its ...
Anheuser-Busch to close Merrimack, Fairfield and sell Newark facility amid U.S. consolidation Anheuser-Busch announced closures at its Merrimack, New Hampshire and Fairfield, California brewing operations and the planned sale of its Newark, New Jersey brewery as part of a U.S. production consolidation (Valley News, 2025). The Merrimack plant — operating since 1970 and employing about 125 full-time workers — will shutter early next year, with the company offering relocation opportunities or severance to affected staff (Valley News, 2025). The company said the moves are part of a broader optimization of its U.S. manufacturing footprint and will shift production to other ...
Craft Beer Crisis: Sycamore Pulled from Carolinas Shelves Amid Scandal as Market Trends Shift to Low-ABV and Local BrewsRetailers across the Carolinas have swiftly removed **Sycamore Brewing** products from shelves and taps following the arrest of co-founder Justin Brigham on charges of statutory rape of a minor and breaking and entering (Axios Charlotte, December 12, 2025, https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/12/sycamore-beer-pulled-carolinas-after-cofounder-arrest).Lowes Foods confirmed it pulled Sycamore Beer from shelves, while The Fresh Market, Food Lion, Publix, and Wegmans followed suit, with Whole Foods in process (Axios Charlotte, December 12, 2025, https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/12/sycamore-beer-pulled-carolinas-after-cofounder-arrest). Bars like Margaritaville NoDa and Common Market discarded tap handles and poured out ...
