Boulder, CO – The U.S. craft beer industry faced another challenging year in 2025, with overall production declining amid softer beer sales nationwide. Despite the headwinds, craft brewers showed notable resilience by gaining a bit more market share and holding steady in key segments.

Craft Beer Outperforms the Broader Beer Category

Total U.S. craft beer production reached 21,859,000 barrels in 2025, down 5.1% from the previous year. Among reporting breweries, 60% saw declines, 39% posted growth, and 1% remained flat.

Performance varied by brewery type:

Brewpubs: -1.7%
Taprooms: -3.9%
Microbreweries: -8.9%
Regional breweries: -5.9%

Even with the decline, craft beer held up better than the overall U.S. beer category, which fell 5.7% in volume. This relative strength underscores craft’s enduring appeal in a contracting market.

Craft Beer Market Share Edges Higher
Craft beer’s share of total U.S. beer volume by volume increased slightly from 13.2% to 13.3%, reflecting steady consumer interest in independent and small brewers.

Retail dollar sales of craft beer dipped 3.6% to $27.8 billion. The drop was milder than the volume decline thanks to higher average prices and a continued shift toward on-site consumption at taprooms and brewpubs, where margins tend to be stronger. As a result, craft maintained a stable 24.6% share of total beer retail dollar sales.

Workforce Adjusts to New Realities
Employment in the craft brewing sector fell to 189,000 jobs, a decrease of 8,000 positions or about 4%. Hospitality-focused models (brewpubs and taprooms) helped cushion the impact, as these operations typically require more staff per barrel produced.

Number of U.S. Craft Breweries Declines to 9,578
The total number of operating craft breweries in the United States dropped 2.9% to 9,578.

Breakdown by category:

Microbreweries: 1,994 (-4.4%)
Brewpubs: 3,525 (-2.5%)
Taprooms: 3,784 (-2.7%)
Regional breweries: 275 (-0.4%)

New brewery openings slowed dramatically to just 300 (down from 518 in 2024), while closures eased to 481 (from 591). This slowdown points to a more mature, competitive craft beer market with fewer easy opportunities for new entrants.

Regional Highlights and Standout Performers
Results varied by region. The East North Central division performed best with a modest +0.3% growth, followed by the Pacific division at nearly flat (-0.1%). Both outperformed the national average.

Breweries with strong brand identities and clear positioning continued to fare better. Notable gainers included Garage Beer Co. and Outlaw (from Tivoli Brewing Company). Hospitality-driven models—especially those offering great value and unique experiences—also proved more resilient with budget-conscious drinkers.

Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism for Craft Beer
Industry observers point to several encouraging trends: potential improvement in consumer sentiment toward beverage alcohol, the continued strength of well-differentiated brands, and growing demand for experience-focused brewery visits that deliver more than just the beer itself.

“The industry outlook points toward cautious optimism, as shifting trends offer hope for a more stable path forward after several challenging years,” said Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association. “While it’s probably premature to declare a ‘new normal,’ there are many signs we’re heading in that direction. What’s nearly guaranteed is that future success will depend on creating something meaningful and memorable for consumers. Breweries that deliver consistent quality, genuine human connection, and unique experiences will continue to stand out.”

2025 Top 50 Craft Breweries by production
1. D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc – PA
2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co – CA
3. Boston Beer Co – MA
4. Tilray Beer Brands – NY
5. Duvel Moortgat USA – NY
6. Athletic Brewing Company – CT
7. Gambrinus – TX
8. Brooklyn Brewery – NY
9. Monster Brewing – CO
10. Deschutes Brewery – OR
11. Artisanal Brewing Ventures – NC
12. Garage Beer Co – OH
13. New Glarus Brewing Co – WI
14. Matt Brewing Co – NY
15. Georgetown Brewing Co – WA
16. Gordon Biersch Brewing Co – CA
17. Fiddlehead Brewing – VT
18. Tivoli Brewing Company – CO
19. Rhinegeist Brewery – OH
20. Narragansett Brewing Co – RI
21. Allagash Brewing Company – ME
22. Tröegs Brewing Co – PA
23. Barrel One Collective – MA
24. August Schell Brewing Company – MN
25. Three Floyds Brewing – IN
26. Great Lakes Brewing Company – OH
27. Hendler Family Brewing Company – MA
28. Stevens Point Brewery – WI
29. Creature Comforts Brewing Co – GA
30. Great Frontier Holdings – OR
31. Pittsburgh Brewing Co – PA
32. Odell Brewing Co – CO
33. Maui Brewing Company – HI
34. Abita Brewing Co – LA
35. BrewDog Brewing Co – OH
36. Alaskan Brewing Co – AK
37. Kona Brewing Hawaii – HI
38. Saint Arnold Brewing Co – TX
39. Revolution Brewing – IL
40. Summit Brewing Co – MN
41. Pizza Port – CA
42. New Trail Brewing Company – PA
43. pFriem Family Brewers – OR
44. Russian River Brewing Co – CA
45. The Florida Brewery – FL
46. Maine Beer Company – ME
47. Surly Brewing Company – MN
48. BJ’s Restaurants, Inc – CA
49. Coronado Brewing Co – CA
50. Fat Head’s Brewery – OH

More information about the Brewers Association.
The Brewers Association traces its roots back to the early days of the American craft beer movement. Formed in 2005 through the merger of the Brewers’ Association of America (originally established in 1942 as the Small Brewers Committee) and the Association of Brewers, the organization built upon decades of advocacy that began with homebrewing pioneer Charlie Papazian’s founding of the American Homebrewers Association in 1978. What started as a small group focused on securing basic resources for independent brewers has evolved into the leading voice for small and independent craft brewing in the United States, helping transform a niche hobby into a vibrant national industry.

Today, the Brewers Association serves as the not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers, their beers, and the broader community of brewing enthusiasts. Representing more than 9,000 U.S. breweries, the association provides essential industry data and research, advocates for favorable policies at the state and federal levels, organizes major events such as the Craft Brewers Conference, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup, and publishes valuable resources through Brewers Publications and CraftBeer.com. With a strong focus on education, community building, and celebrating innovation, the Brewers Association continues to champion the independent craft brewer seal and support breweries as they navigate a dynamic and competitive marketplace.
Address:1327 Spruce Street Boulder, CO 80302 United States
Website: https://www.brewersassociation.org/

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