US craft beer production fell again in 2025 but the category performed better than the rest of the market, according to data from the Brewers Association.
The trade body, which represents small and independent brewers in the US, said craft beer production fell 5.1% last year to 21.9 million barrels.
Even so, craft slightly increased its share of the total beer market by volume to 13.3% in 2025, from 13.2% a year earlier.
“Craft beer outpaced the overall beer category, which declined 5.7% by volume, highlighting relative resilience within a contracting market,” the association said.
Brewers Association staff economist Matt Gacioch added: “The industry outlook points towards cautious optimism, as shifting trends offer hope for a more stable path forward after several challenging years.
“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.”
Volumes across each of the "business models" monitored by the Brewers Association fell year on year. Brewpubs saw volumes decline 1.7% while volumes through taprooms dropped 3.9%.
Regional breweries saw volumes fall 5.9%. Microbreweries posted the steepest decline, with volumes down 8.9%.
The Brewers Association said US retail dollar sales for craft beer fell 3.6% to $27.8bn. The category maintained a 24.6% share of total beer retail dollar sales, which the association said was "essentially unchanged" on 2024.
The smaller drop in value than in volume reflected higher average prices and an ongoing shift toward on-site consumption through taprooms and brewpubs, where per-unit pricing is typically higher.
Employment in the craft brewing sector declined 4% year on year to 189,000 jobs.
The association said staffing “held up better than production”, supported by hospitality-led brewery models that require more employees per barrel produced.
The number of operating US craft breweries fell 2.9% to 9,578 in 2025.
That total included 1,994 microbreweries, 3,525 brewpubs, 3,784 taprooms and 275 regional breweries.
Three hundred craft breweries opened in 2025, down from 518 in 2024. Some 481 closed, versus 591 a year earlier, which the Brewers Association said pointed to a "more mature and competitive market with fewer untapped opportunities for new market entrants".
