Major Revisions to the Brewers Association’s 2025 Industry Production Report

Industry trade organization the Brewers Association has issued a rare correction to the results of their 2025 beer industry production survey that tracked the ups and downs of the small craft brewing industry. The BA has revised their production figures with post-release revisions on their April 14th 2026 report that are more extensive than usual, and are overall much more positive signs for craft beer.

These updates affect several key metrics, including overall craft beer production and its year-over-year change, regional segment production and year-over-year change, craft market share, craft retail value, jobs estimates, production volumes in four states (PA, TX, CA, and VA), and modeled economic impact figures for all states.

4/14/26: Total craft beer production declined 5.1% from 2024 to 2025 to 21,856,000 barrels.

6/2/26 Correction: Total craft production (22,034,000 bbls) fell 4% in 2025, with 60% of breweries reporting declines, 39% reporting growth, and 1% holding steady. 

Craft beer outpaced the overall beer category, which declined 5.7% by volume, highlighting relative resilience within a contracting market. 

4/14/26: Market share increased from 13.2% in 2024 to 13.3% in 2025.

6/2/26 Correction: Market by volume increased slightly from 13.2% to 13.4%, reflecting continued consumer demand for independent brewers despite overall category declines. 

4/14/26: Craft beer’s retail dollar declined 3.6% to $27.8 billion

6/2/26 Correction: Craft beer’s retail dollar value declined 2.8% year-over-year in 2025, to a total of $28.0 billion.

While reduced sales volume contributed to the drop, the impact on dollar sales was less pronounced due to higher average beer prices and a continued shift toward on-site consumption models such as taprooms and brewpubs where there is a higher unit price. As a result, retail value proved more resilient than volume trends alone might suggest. 

4/14/26: Employment declined 4% by about 8,000 jobs down to 189,000 jobs

6/2/26 Correction: The craft brewing workforce declined only 6,000 (-3%) year-over-year to 191,000 jobs.

4/14/26: Production Declines by Business Model:

brewpubs by 2.5%

Correction: -1.7% 

taprooms by 2.7%

Correction: -3.9% 

microbreweries by 4.4%

Correction: -8.9% 

regional breweries by 0.4%

Correction: -4.1% 

New brewery openings dropped sharply to 300 in 2025 (down from 518 in 2024), while closures also declined to 481 (from 591). The slowdown in openings signals a shift toward a more mature, competitive market with fewer untapped opportunities for new market entrants. 

Regional and Business Trends 

Performance varied across regions. The East North Central Census division posted the strongest trend, finding growth of +0.4%, followed by the Mountain division (-1.5%), both outperforming national trends. 

Breweries with strong brand identity and clear market positioning continued to outperform, with brands like Garage Beer and Outlaw (by Tivoli Brewing Company) among notable gainers. 

Hospitality-driven models, i.e., brewpubs and taprooms, remained comparatively resilient, particularly those offering differentiated value to budget-conscious consumers. 

Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism 

Key trends shaping the future include a potential rebound in consumer attitudes toward beverage alcohol, continued momentum for strong and differentiated brands, and the growing importance of experience-driven brewery models that offer value beyond the product itself. 

“The industry outlook points towards 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 say the industry has settled into a ‘new normal,’ there are many indications that we are moving in that direction. What’s nearly guaranteed is that success going forward will come down to creating something meaningful and memorable for consumers. Breweries that deliver consistent quality, human connection, and unique experiences will stand out.”

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies

The BA relies on self-reported data from its annual survey and periodically identifies figures that require updates. The organization remains committed to publishing the most accurate industry data possible as new information becomes available.