Beer Industry News, Insights, Jobs, & Events
Circana: Craft Declines Accelerate Thru Mid-May; Elysian, Lagunitas & Georgetown Buck Trends; Voodoo Ranger G Force Cracks Top 30
Craft’s trends continued to slip ahead of Memorial Day, according to the latest monthly scans report from market research firm Circana.
Beer Remains in Expansion in May Beer Purchasers’ Index; All But Craft Maintain YoY Improvement
Despite wavering scans, beer wholesalers appear to remain optimistic about the category, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).
Bev-Alc Sales Improve Slightly Post-Cinco de Mayo; Beer Leads YoY Declines in Latest NIQ Weekly Scans
Consumers kept the party going post-Cinco de Mayo, with bev-alc dollar sales accelerating in the latest week tracked by market research firm NIQ. However, year-over-year (YoY) comparisons remain bright red.
NIQ: THC Beverages Hit $239M in Mainstream Retail as Half of Adults Interested in Trying
THC beverages reached $239 million in the 52 weeks ending April 4 2026, up 135% versus the prior year, and despite a looming ban, there’s thirst for more.
Featured Jobs
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Ease Self-Distribution for Craft Brewers
Vermont craft brewers are one signature away from expanded self-distribution privileges. The state Senate approved a bill on May 21 that would allow malt beverage manufacturers to self-distribute up to 3,000 barrels of beer under their existing manufacturer licenses.
2025 Regional Craft Production Beyond Top 50: 55% Declined, 37% Grew, 8% Flat
More than half (55.45%) of Brewers Association (BA) defined regional craft breweries beyond the top 50 recorded production volume declines in 2025, but there are still signs of improvement compared to 2024, according to annual data shared last week by the trade group.
Top 10 Hard Cider Vendors Account for 77% of Segment Dollars, per Bump Williams Consulting
Non-alcoholic (NA) beer and hard cider have a similar share of total beer dollars – 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively, in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels – and both segments have been growth outliers among beer’s recent declines. However, top beer companies haven’t flocked to the hard cider segment as quickly as they have to NA.
Off-the-Wall Marketing With Garage Beer’s Andy Sauer; How Occasions Drive Julie Rhodes’ Kick Fizz
One of the hottest beer companies in the U.S., along with a budding THC-infused beverage entrepreneur, join the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast in back-to-back interviews. Garage Beer owner Andy Sauer shares upcoming plans for the fast-growing lager brand. Plus, Kick Fizz THC sparkling water co-founder Julie Rhodes explains how she’s preparing for the federal government’s November ban.
Judge Keeps Uncle Nearest in Receivership, Expands Court Control to Founder’s Holding Company
After months of legal wrangling, a federal judge has delivered a ruling that keeps Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey under court-supervised receivership and extends that control to founder Fawn Weaver’s personal holding company.
2026’s ‘Explosive Start’ Has Already ‘Fizzled;’ Spirits Remain Lone Bright Spot, per Circana Weekly Scans
On the precipice of the all-important summer selling season, Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon reports that beverage-alcohol experts have “questioned the ability” of the industry to close 2026 “with strength,” while he believes it’s possible.
BrewDog’s James Watt to Launch Second Best Beer Brand, Offering 19% Stake to Equity Punks Investors
BrewDog co-founder James Watt’s second act in beer is Second Best – and he’s offering a percentage of the new venture to his original craft brewery’s investors, who were shut out of proceeds following BrewDog’s sale to Tilray Brands earlier this year.
RNDC to Lay Off 320 in Washington, South Dakota
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) issued WARN Act notices last week for 267 layoffs in Washington and 53 in South Dakota, as other distributors potentially prepare to take over RNDC’s distribution rights or operations across the country.
Brewers Association: 20 of Top 50 Craft Breweries Grew 2025 Volume; Total Production -6%
The top 50 Brewers Association-defined craft breweries once again posted results as diverse as their portfolio mix these days, according to 2025 production data shared Friday by the trade group.
Ex-NFL Star Micah Hyde Seeks to Bridge Beer and Hemp Drinks With Hyde’s Hail Mary
After over a decade ball-hawking in the backfield, former NFL star Micah Hyde is taking on a new position: hemp beverage entrepreneur. Following his retirement in January 2025, the Ohio native stepped into the beverage arena with Hyde’s Hail Mary, a line of Shandy-style low-dose THC drinks that’s aiming to recruit both football and beer lovers alike.