The Brewbound team continues to sort through 2025 production data, shared by the Brewers Association (BA) last month. The latest report – and Today’s Top Story – is a dive into how taproom breweries performed last year. 

The story is part 1 of a 2-part series analyzing hospitality-focused breweries, which have been a “bright spot” for craft beer. In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are diving into volume changes among the top 50 taproom breweries, as well as the top 5 in different geographical regions. 

Additionally, Insiders are also reading about:

• Boston Beer’s argument against a recent judgement in favor of Ardagh Metal Group;

• A recap of BevNET Live NYC Day 1, including several bev-alc-related highlights;

• How Tilray will leverage its BrewDog UK brewpubs for its U.S. craft brands;

• And the social importance of beer bars, according to Tornado co-founder and owner David Keene.

Insiders also have access to the Brewbound Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content.

Become a Brewbound Insider today!

Or, be in the know on all food and beverage news from Brewbound, BevNET and NOSH with Insider All Access.

Growth adds complexity fast, and without clear financial visibility, it’s easy to lose track of what’s actually driving your business. This free guide breaks down how to understand your margins, manage inventory, and build better financial systems. Download now and start making more confident decisions. Learn more

Craft breweries continued to battle declines in 2025, but hospitality-focused breweries – including brewpubs and taprooms – were a “bright spot for the industry” last year, according to the Brewers Association (BA). 

Combined taproom and brewpub 2024 volumes declined 2.9% YoY, but those losses were “likely offset” at many businesses by “growing sales in food or other beverage alcohol,” BA president and CEO Bart Watson and staff economist Matt Gacioch shared in the May/June 2026 issue of the trade group’s New Brewer magazine.

Taproom breweries’ volume declined 3.9% YoY, outperforming regional craft breweries (-4.1%) and microbreweries (-8.9%).

Learn more

At 138 years old, F.X. Matt Brewing isn’t slowing down. 

President Fred Matt joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the Utica, NY-based craft brewery’s plans for 2026 and beyond, which include Saranac Weekend Warrior Mid-Strength, a 3% ABV hazy IPA and Right Coast Spirits Italian Ice, a vodka-based RTD produced in partnership with Barrel One Collective. 

In addition to both those relatively new products, the company is also riding a wave behind Utica Club, the pilsner it has produced since Prohibition ended in 1933. Its 5% ABV has made it attractive to craft drinkers looking to “down-shift” after a round or 2 of higher ABV products, Matt said.

“It's a phenomenon that's really happening in the craft community that has brought Utica Club back. You also get the nostalgic side of it – everybody's grandfather loved Utica Club, because Utica Club, at one time, was a 10 million case brand,” he said.

Listen here

Boston Beer Company (a.k.a. American Craft Brewery) claims it didn’t receive a “fair trial” due to “errors” throughout its breach of contract case with Ardagh Metal Group, which last month received a $175.5 million jury award, plus millions in pre-judgment interest.

“The trial record does not support the verdict, and the verdict is the cumulative product of multiple errors,” Boston Beer argued in a filing this week with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. 

Learn more

Brewed in Los Angeles by immigrant brewer Masa Kitano, Ikasu Brewing fuses Japanese tradition with California craft culture. Try LArigato Japanese Rice Lager - made with premium rice for a crisp, refreshing taste and uniquely soft, full mouthfeel. Kanpai! Learn more

Since the $1.7 billion sale of his enhanced water brand Bai to Dr Pepper Snapple Group in 2017, entrepreneur Ben Weiss has stayed busy. Weiss has gone on to found organic alcohol brand Crook & Marker and, most recently, better-for-you hard soda brand Crooked Pop.

At day one of BevNET Live NYC this week, Weiss sat down with BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman to discuss just what keeps him coming back to the beverage game, despite his “love-pain relationship” with the industry, and why better-for-you drinks are his north star.

Keep reading for more from Weiss, plus Athletic Brewing’s Bill Shufelt on disrupting at scale 

Nearly 3/4 of the available booths at the reinvented Great American Beer Festival (GABF) have been claimed.

150 breweries and cideries have registered to pour at the Brewers Association’s (BA) signature consumer-centric event, scheduled for October 10 and 11 at Levitt Pavilion in Denver, BA VP of marketing and communications Ann Obenchain told Brewbound. 

Those 150 account for the better part of the 200-220 spaces that will be available as the 44th iteration of the festival moves entirely outdoors for the 1st time in its history, cutting available space for participating breweries nearly in half.

Keep reading

🎁 Not an Insider? Follow this gift link!

Craving more? 👉 See what Insider members get access to.

Have feedback? 📝 Take the Survey Now >>

Want to share news or tips? ✉️ Submit a press release or reach out to news@brewbound.com.

Interested in other beverage coverage? 👀 Check out the BevNET Daily Briefing covering the broader beverage industry, including energy drinks, cannabis and other non-alcoholic beverages. Want to stick to the hard stuff? Subscribe to our Spirits Newsletter (published every 2 weeks). 

We'll be back in your inbox tomorrow.