The Brewers Association (BA) gave a preview of craft’s 2025 performance this week, and full-year volume data is looking even rockier than the BA’s midyear report. However, the new year may bring more predictable trends and eased headwinds. 

Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata chatted with BA staff economist Matt Gacioch about craft’s 2025 trends and what Gacioch is looking forward to in 2026. Insiders are getting the full scoop, plus comments from BA president and CEO Bart Watson on the trade group’s evolution.

In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are also reading about:

• Mark Anthony Brands’ CEO change;
• Contract manufacturer Lion Beverage’s latest funding round;
• The BevNET 2025 Spirits Awards winners;
• And Outlaw’s latest distro move.

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

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“Barring a drastic change in the last few weeks” of 2025, craft will likely record its 3rd consecutive year of volume declines and 2nd consecutive year in which brewery closings outpaced openings, according to the Brewers Association (BA) in the trade group’s annual Year in Beer report. 

Approximately 9,778 small and independent craft breweries operated in the U.S. in 2025, with 268 breweries opening and 434 breweries closing, according to the BA. 2024 marked the 1st time closings (399) outpaced openings (335).

“While striking in headlines, closings still represent a relatively low percentage (4.4%) of total operating breweries, especially when compared against leisure and hospitality businesses broadly,” the BA wrote. 

Insiders can read more, including craft strategy trends for 2025 and additional comments from Gacioch and BA president and CEO Bart Watson.

Mark Anthony Brands founder and chairman Anthony von Mandl will step down as CEO and has appointed vice chairman Phil Rosse to succeed him, according to a memo shared with distributors today.

Rosse will be the 2nd CEO in the history of the 53-year-old company, whose portfolio includes White Claw Hard Seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Cayman Jack FMBs and Más+ by Messi hydration drinks. 

The transition will take place January 1.

Insiders can read more about the incoming leadership change. 

PA-based contract manufacturer Lion Beverages, LLC has closed a $150 million investment as it prepares to expand capacity in the new year.

The round was led by Apogem Capital and included additional funding by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, RCP Advisors and Montana Capital Partners.

Insiders can read more here.

This year was not an easy one for entrepreneurs in bev-alc or adult alternatives. Consumers and investors are adjusting their relationships with alcohol, and still doubtful of the emerging adult non-alc (ANA) industry. 

But the smartest beverage founders are meeting those challenges by digging deeper into their relationships with the industry, the environment and their communities.

We are proud to present the winners of BevNET’s 2025 Best Spirits Awards, a group that is reshaping and reimagining consumers’ experiences with alcohol and its zero-proof alternatives with thoughtfulness, vision and creativity. BevNET honors the companies, brands, individuals, products, ideas and trends that have helped drive inspiration and growth across the industry over the last 12 months.

Check out the winners here, including Spirits Company of the Year, Spirits Industry Leadership, Best New RTD Cocktails, Best New Ready-to-Serve Cocktails and more.

Craft beer’s grocery losses continued to accelerate in November, according to the latest monthly report from market research firm Circana.

The segment recorded high-single-digit declines in dollar sales (-8.2%) and volume (-9%) at grocery stores in the 4-week period (L4W) ending November 30, Circana reported. Those losses mark an acceleration from the prior L4W period (ending November 2), when craft dollar sales declined 7.8% and volume dipped 8.4% at grocery stores. 

The L4W through November 30 have flipped craft’s performance in the convenience channel, where it grew dollar sales (+2%) and was flat in volume. Those gains were not enough to offset losses in the multi-outlet grocery, mass retail and c-stores (MULO+C) geography, where craft declined in both dollar sales (-4.7%) and volume (-6.2%) in the L4W.

Craft over-indexes in grocery stores, and the segment’s decline in that channel have been a drag on performance all year. Grocery stores account for about 54% of craft’s YTD dollar sales, while c-stores account for 36%, according to Circana data. YTD, craft’s dollars have declined 4.6% and volume has declined 6.1% in MULO+C.

Insiders can dig into more top 30 stats, as well as changes in average case price and style share by channel. 

Brewbound Live 2025 may be in the books, but we’re already looking ahead. 

Registration is now open for Brewbound Live 2026, taking place December 9 & 10 in Los Angeles. 

Right now you can save $200 per ticket. This is the lowest pricing of the year and the best way to secure your spot early if Brewbound Live is part of how you plan your year.

Register here.

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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). 

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