Business Archives

Displaying results 1-10 of 57

Sunrise: Brewery Openings

July 6, 2026

Who opens a brewery in today’s market? This analysis looks at recent brewery opening trends, including the rise of taproom and brewpub models, shifting geographic patterns, modest first-year production expectations, and the role of additional locations from existing breweries. Through data and real-world examples from new breweries in Illinois and Virginia, the post explores what today’s openings reveal about the future of craft beer: less about chasing scale, and more about hospitality, place, and finding the right customer occasion.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

Matt Gacioch (he/him), staff economist for the Brewers Association, helps members make sense of the data that enable their businesses to thrive. He brings experience from market analytics, brewery operations, and consulting, along with an MBA, MS, and BS from the University of Michigan. Follow him on Instagram @craft_econ

Mixed Signals: 2026 Consumer Survey

June 16, 2026

What does the 2026 consumer landscape really signal for craft beer? This analysis breaks down the latest Brewers Association and Harris Poll Consumer Survey through a SWOT-style lens, separating meaningful trends from distracting noise. From stronger engagement among current craft drinkers to challenges reaching the broader population, the findings reveal where craft still has momentum and where brewers may need to focus their efforts. For anyone trying to understand today’s craft beer consumer, the data offers a useful view of the opportunities, risks, and shifting occasions shaping the category.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

Does Kevin Warsh Like Craft Beer?

June 5, 2026

A new Fed Chair rarely makes headlines in the craft beer world, but the decisions coming out of the Federal Reserve can shape everything from loan costs to how consumers feel about spending. This article examines what Kevin Warsh’s appointment as Fed Chair could mean for brewers, including potential shifts in monetary policy, inflation metrics, and market communication. While the outlook isn’t cause for alarm, the transition raises important questions about uncertainty, interest rates, and the broader economic environment. For brewery owners and industry watchers, these are central bank tea leaves worth reading.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

taproom bartender handing customer a beer

New Online Course for Taproom Front-of-House Staff Training

May 27, 2026

This 4-part training series focuses on onboarding and skills training for taproom front-of-house service staff. This resource is FREE for all BA Members.Read More

Reflections on Aging

May 22, 2026

A quick look at aging in craft beer, exploring brewery survival rates, closure trends, and how brewery age varies by type.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

A Look Inside American Drinking Places

May 13, 2026

What’s happening inside today’s drinking place, and what does it mean for craft beer? This analysis explores how bars are evolving, from shifting draft share and style performance to changing consumer habits and venue types. While craft beer continues to over-index on draft, the on-premise landscape is becoming more competitive as neighborhood and sports bars grow while premium concepts decline. Using recent industry data, the post examines where craft is winning, where challenges remain, and why success in modern drinking places depends so critically on performance once you’re on the tap list.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

A large group of people at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®

Craft Beer’s Vibe Shift, Quantified

May 11, 2026

After years of difficult headlines, the craft beer industry entered 2026 with something it has missed: better vibes. But what’s actually driving that optimism? This data-driven “vibe check” explores brewer sentiment, consumer behavior, brewery closures, and shifting market realities to understand why the mood around craft beer feels different right now. From CBC conversations to younger consumers continuing to embrace craft, the numbers suggest the industry may be finding steadier footing. Challenges remain, but for the first time in a while, many brewers seem to believe the future is something worth building toward, not just surviving through.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

Value Quest: 2025 Packaging Trends

March 5, 2026

Packaged craft beer often gets summarized in broad trend lines, but the details tell a richer story. In this annual look at packaging trends, economist Matt Gacioch breaks down how container types, pack sizes, and retail channels shifted in 2025. Cans continue to dominate but may be nearing a steady state after years of share growth. Six-packs still lead but are gradually losing share, while singles and larger formats pull consumers toward the extremes. Together, these packaging trends reveal how financially conscious drinkers are reshaping the packaged craft landscape.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

How Much Does THC Take from Beer?

February 24, 2026

In recent years, THC has been often blamed for beer’s declines. But what does the data actually show? By comparing state shipment trends across recreational cannabis and hemp-derived THC markets, we take a closer look at whether THC substitution is meaningfully impacting beer.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

RTD cocktail, wine and whiskey on a wooden table.

Wine & Spirits 2025: A Retrospective

February 5, 2026

Wine and spirits faced a challenging year in 2025, but the story is more nuanced than simple decline. This retrospective examines how wine & spirits performed across price points and product types, with RTDs emerging as a key growth engine. Drawing on industry data and consumer insights, this piece places wine & spirits trends in context for a beer-focused audience, highlighting where pressures are shared across beverage alcohol and where innovation is still breaking through. For brewers, understanding wine & spirits isn’t about leaving your lane, it’s about understanding the full beverage alcohol landscape your customers navigate.Read More

Written By Matt Gacioch , Staff Economist

Staff Economist

Displaying results 1-10 of 57