Craft beer market declines 4% in 2024

The craft brewing market is in the tank.

Why it matters: The once-thriving industry struggled to stay afloat in 2024 after posting its third consecutive year with negative growth, a trend driven by market saturation and shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger drinkers.

State of play: Craft beer production hit 23.1 million barrels in 2024 — a 4% decline compared to the previous year and the largest drop in industry history outside the pandemic, according to data released Tuesday by the Brewers Association.

• The number of small, independent breweries operating in the U.S. decreased for the first time in 20 years with 501 closures compared to 434 openings...

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RSK: Sad, but there are plenty of options for a craft beer...many are good. Hopefully New Glarus Brewing, Capital Brewing and Wisconsin Brewing will survive the aluminum tariff increases. Was to bad to lose Leinenkugel`s original brewery but many of these old buildings will have a second life.