Breweries NAICS 312120

Jan 13, 2026 - Closings Outpaced Openings

• Independent US breweries are facing mounting pressure as closures outpaced openings for the second consecutive year in 2025, according to tracking from the Brewers Association. With 434 breweries shutting down and only 268 opening, the industry is contracting faster than in 2024, when there were 225 openings and 399 closings per BA figures. Craft beer’s economic impact also decreased from 2024, with the segment contributing $72.5 billion to the US economy, a $4.6 billion drop, which reflects softer demand rather than collapse. Rising costs from inflation and tariffs, shifting consumer preferences, and tougher retail shelf competition are squeezing smaller craft breweries the most. Grocery‑store sales of small‑batch craft beer have fallen sharply, with an 8.2% dollar‑sales decline in November 2025 and a 4.6% drop year‑to‑date, while average prices continue to rise. These pressures are forcing breweries to rethink product lines and business models.
• The federal funding bill signed at the end of the government shutdown delivers a significant boost to US breweries by strengthening the long‑term reliability and quality of the country’s barley supply, The Brewers Association reports. Three major barley initiatives received increased support: $500,000 more for the Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative; $250,000 more for the Barley Pest Initiative; and $1 million to launch the Resilient Barley Initiative. For breweries, especially small and independent producers, these investments help protect against crop disease, pests, and climate‑driven growing challenges that threaten malt quality and availability. The new Resilient Barley Initiative aims to develop winter barley varieties and expand barley cultivation into new regions, improving local sourcing and stabilizing supply chains. The National Barley Improvement Committee played a key role in securing this funding. Overall, the bill strengthens the agricultural backbone that US breweries depend on for consistent, high‑quality malt.

• As curated food-and-drink experiences rise in popularity, pairing beer with cheese presents a promising partnership opportunity for craft brewers, according to a recent article in CraftBeer.com. Pairing a certified organic brewery with an organic dairy, for a decade Oregon’s Rogue Creamery has produced a Chocolate Stout Cheddar with Portland’s Hopworks Brewery. Brewers can work with local dairy producers to create themed taproom nights or beer-and-cheese flights that highlight complementary flavor profiles, expanding appeal to both beer lovers and foodies. For example, a brewery might team up with a regional artisan cheesemaker for a seasonal “hops and curds” event, pairing IPAs with sharp cheddars or stouts with aged goudas, encouraging cross-promotion on social media and shared marketing. Collaborations help small producers tap into each other’s loyal followings, reinforce local food culture, and drive mutual business benefits for breweries and cheesemakers.
• The Producer Price Index (PPI) for breweries, which measures prices before reaching consumers, rose 1.4% in September compared to a year ago, after rising 1.3% in the previous September-versus-September annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. At the retail level, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for beer-at-home increased 1% year over year in September and beer away-from-home rose 3.6% over the same period. That’s compared to all alcoholic beverages, which rose 2% on an annual basis, BLS data show. Meanwhile, employment by breweries grew 0.5% YoY in August, per BLS.