Oregon Craft Brewers high hopes for biggest beer sales of the year

The Fourth of July is the top beer selling holiday in the U.S. with nearly 5% of brewers’ annual sales occurring within two weeks of July 4

John’s Marketplace - Beaverton, photo copyright New School Beer

 This 4th of July will be a telling sign for the current state of the craft beer industry as sales rise to their highest levels of the year, just how high could be an indicator of slowing, stagnating, or (*crosses finger*) rising beer sales. According to the Brewers Association, over the last four years, beer sales increase by 25% the week of Fourth of July and a brewery can expect 4.9% of annual sales to occur the two weeks surrounding the holiday.

“While you’re out enjoying the 4th of July weekend with your friends and family, remember to do so with a pint from your favorite Oregon brewery,” said Sam Pecoraro, President of the Oregon Brewers Guild and brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing. “Oregon breweries are facing major challenges with slumping sales and record closures. We need your support to survive and rely on summer sales to help us get through leaner months.”

After Independence Day, the next highest beer selling summer holidays are Memorial Day with a 19% sales increase and Labor Day with a 13% sales increase historically. However, according to the Brewers Association craft beer sales were down -1% in 2023 and down -4% in 2024, a trend continuing into 2025.

Oregon’s more than 300 breweries help create 46,700 jobs, $2.8 billion in wages and $8.9 billion in economic activity for the state each year. Sadly, in the last two years, Oregon lost at least 70 breweries, taprooms or brewpubs. Brewers are dealing with inflation, supply chain issues, employee shortages, tariffs and fewer people drinking beer overall. Summer holidays are a way to help support this vital, local industry.

Info provided by the Oregon Beverage Alliance

The Oregon Beverage Alliance is made up of local brewers, winemakers, cidermakers, distillers and their supply and hospitality partners creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and generating $17 billion of economic activity for Oregon annually. Learn more: www.DontTaxMyDrink.org