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Small Production

Operating a small production brewery presents unique challenges of scale. Whether you are trying to maximize efficiency within your brewhouse, considering distribution, or managing your approach to packaging beer, the resources in this category can help you make decisions to effectively manage your business and plan for a successful future.

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Displaying results 1-10 of 96

Value Quest: 2025 Packaging Trends Packaging Trends Craft Beer

Value Quest: 2025 Packaging Trends

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

Link to author biography
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

See Matt Gacioch's Articles
production
  1. Seminar

The Ins and Outs of Contract Brewing

Craft Brewers Conference 2025Indianapolis, IndianaSpeaker(s): Alisa Bowens-Mercado, Brian Faivre, Phil Markowski, Matthew Osterman

Contract brewing offers startups and scaling breweries a low-cost, flexible path to market, but requires careful partner selection and clear agreements.Read More

Inside Voices: 2025 Consumer Survey woman considering beer sample in taster flight

Inside Voices: 2025 Consumer Survey

"Well, what do you think?" It’s a simple question that you and your staff probably ask a hundred times a day after sliding a taster across the bar to a thirsty patron. At which point, that customer will give you a thumbs up or thumbs down. Now, imagine you could jump fully into that patron’s head to understand what they really think.Read More

Link to author biography
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

See Matt Gacioch's Articles
The New Brewer Micro 2024
The New Brewer: Industry Review

Micros

Gabe Toth

In 2024, microbreweries learned to embrace a new definition of success. The segment was the hardest hit among all craft brewing categories, decreasing 7.5%.

Inside Voices: 2025 Consumer Survey The New Brewer Industry Reivew 2024 Cover

Industry Review

For the May/June 2025 The New Brewer, we present our annual Industry Review issue. The issue provides an overview of the performance of craft breweries in 2024, which saw the overall segment down 4%. It includes in-depth analysis of each segment including brewpubs, taprooms, microbreweries, regional breweries, and large breweries/imports. Read More

This issue is brought to you by Pentair Haffmans

Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator: Don’t Leave Money in the Mash Tun brewer at brew kettle

Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator: Don’t Leave Money in the Mash Tun

By tracking brewhouse efficiency with this simple calculator, brewers can ensure you're not leaving any money in your mash tuns.Read More

Link to author biography
Brewers Association

The Brewers Association Technical Brewing Projects Team has over 50 years of craft beer industry experience and works alongside the Technical Committee to promote access to raw materials; support research and advances in sustainability, education, technology, and raw materials; foster a commitment to holistic safety, quality, and operational excellence; support the well-being and a sense of belonging of the people of the craft brewing community; and promote sustainable operational practices that enhance environmental stewardship. The team comprises Chuck Skypeck, Technical Brewing Projects Director; Katie Fromuth, Technical Brewing Projects Manager; and Adriana Terrón, Technical Brewing Projects Administrative Specialist.

See Technical Team's Articles

A Good Time To Be Single: 2024 Packaging Trends single beer can on blue background

A Good Time To Be Single: 2024 Packaging Trends

Explore what happened in packaged craft beer in the last year, from the evolution of package types to trends by channel to pricing.Read More

Link to author biography
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

See Matt Gacioch's Articles
Micros The New Brewer May June 2024
The New Brewer: Industry Review

Micros

Gabe Toth

Microbreweries, which suffered the biggest decline among categories in 2023, are trying to strike a balance between maximizing volume and growing thoughtfully.

Displaying results 1-10 of 96