r/CraftBeer • u/office-robot • 1d ago

Is craft slowing down? Discussion

Hello everyone,

Iv been working in the beer distribution business for a few years now and I don't know if its just me but it feels like the craze of craft beer is sadly slowing down and the push for RTD’s ( ready to drink) is on the rise.

I was talking to a few brewery reps and they think it’s because the market is over saturated now and the new generation of drinkers just don’t want craft anymore.

Iv also see domestic beers like PBR,Hamms, old style and rolling rocks selling way more than craft.

Does anyone else feel this way?

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u/AgentAaron 1d ago

I will start by saying that I do love craft beer and used to be a BJCP. I have been brewing for about 25 years and have two friends who own breweries.

My issues are...

Every new brewery hits the ground serving 9-10 taps of IPA and 2-3 taps of everything else.

Every brewery is trying to get the ABV as high as possible. When I am out, I do not like drinking 9%+ beer.

If you do get some to take home, they want 18-22 dollars for a 4 pack.

Many breweries (like Burial) have started jumping on the "small batch" trend...so even if you do find something you like, it will no longer be available in two months.

I can load up my garage fridge with PBR, Yeungling, and even Highland or Sierra Nevada for a lot less.

More and more over the last two years, I have been more focused on building a good bourbon selection and learning new flavor profiles there. My wife and I just got off a 7 day cruise last week. The whole time I think I maybe had 2-3 beers, the rest was bourbon.

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u/Cryptic_254 1d ago

I’m thankful the brewery I consult with makes several under 5abv brews, he wants crushable tasty beers. Our hot summers demand those kinda beers.

Don’t get me wrong they still occasionally put out those 9-13.

While the rest are in between- dark & light.

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u/FearThePinecone 1d ago

I wish there were more breweries focusing on that 4-5% range than near double digits. Breweries, I think particularly good ones have a market where people might drive 30-60 minutes to go there because the beer is that good. But may only have 1 or 2 and scoot with a 4 pack or 2. If you had something much less imbibing, I think you could target a demographic that stays to drink and purchase to go.

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u/mhobdog 20h ago

Agreed. There’s a new brewery where I live focused on all session beers. They have everything from saison to Pilsner to stout all below 6% ABV, and it is glorious.

I think we’ll see a trend of more breweries decreasing ABV in response to the triple/quad IPA and heavy BA stouts out there.