OnTap Magazine

20 | Autumn 2025 | ontapmag.co.za OTHER FACTS AND FIGURES IN THE AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WORLD: • Count: The number of small and independent breweries in operation in the U.S. in 2024 totalled 9,736. • Openings and Closings: Throughout 2024, the BA tracked 335 new brewery openings and 399 closings. Despite the slight decline in the number of breweries in operation, closings remain a low percentage of total operating breweries. • Employment: The craft beer industry supported nearly 460,000 jobs nationwide, fostering local economies and creating opportunities. • Economic Impact: Craft beer’s contribution to the U.S. economy reached an impressive $77.1 billion, demonstrating its vital role in the broader beverage market. • Production: in the BA’s mid-year survey, craft beer saw a slightly more significant estimated decline in production (-2%) compared to the full year 2023 data (-1%). There were no significant year-over-year (YOY) variations in sales volume share by channel, and one distributed channel did not overtake another, suggesting a balance between where consumers are purchasing and where breweries are supplying. Watson comments: “Craft beer has been going through a painful period of rationalisation as demand growth has slowed and retailers and distributors look to simplify their offerings or add options for flavour and variety outside of the craft category. That said, breweries have reacted to these changes by focusing on distribution, continuing to innovate in their taprooms and brewpubs, creating groups and partnerships, and offering a wider range of beverages in their portfolios.” “Brewers are experiencing critical challenges at the crossroads of a high-cost environment paired with slowing growth,” he continues. “To grow in 2025, brewers must do what they do best: adapt. They also will need to continue to do the hard work to find ways to tell their story and differentiate their brands against the competition.” South African brewers are welcome to make use of the wealth of resources published by the Brewers Association to understand and enjoy craft beer, downloadable free of charge from www.brewersassociation.org ABOUTTHE AUTHOR ABOUTTHE BREWERS ASSOCIATION TheBrewersAssociation(BA)isthenot- for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 5,600-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including theWorld Beer Cup ® ,GreatAmericanBeerFestival®,Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America ® , Homebrew ConTM,National Homebrew CompetitionandAmerican Craft Beer Week ® .The BA publishesThe New Brewer ® magazine, and Brewers Publications ® is the leading publisher of brewingliteratureintheU.S.Beerloversare invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer atCraftBeer.com®and abouthomebrewingviatheBA’sAmerican Homebrewers Association®and the freeBrewGuru®mobileapp.Followuson Facebook,TwitterandInstagram. Issued on behalf of the Brewers Association, 1327 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302 USA. www.brewersassociation.org Lotte Peplow is the American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe for the Brewers Association and is based in London, UK. She is a Certified Cicerone ® , BDI accredited Beer Sommelier, beer writer, author, beer communicator, international beer judge, homebrewer and beer lover