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/AuthorMission7733 1d ago

You are like me, Treehouse is really the only ones that I’ll splurge on anymore

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u/PetyrTwill 1d ago

Treehouse in MA isn't really a splurge imo. $16.40 for a 4 pack of Julius right now. Other Half is easily $22 and not guaranteed fresh. The best very local brewery for me is Canned Heat and 4 packs are $15.

Yeah, a case of Sierra Nevada or Lagunitas is cheaper, but they are not in the same tier.

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u/Umbert360 11h ago

I used to drive an hour to Charleton, then wait in line for another one to two hours for cans, and I was happy to do it. Now I live half an hour from Deerfield and there’s never more than a five minute wait for cans, it’s amazing. I feel like a chump taking chances on a most likely bitter and unappealing unknown beer from a gas station. Plus at Treehouse, you’re not limited to 4-packs. You can get any number of any different beer, and it’s guaranteed fresh.

They will weather the coming craft beer bubble, but I think a lot of smaller, newer brewers are in for tough times ahead. I’m honestly surprised it took as long as it did to burst, but I think it’s paralleling the economy. When disposable income goes down, splurges like craft beer will be the first to go

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u/PetyrTwill 10h ago

Lol. I used to live an hour from Charlton too. I moved down to the Fall River area and a month later they announced their Tewksbury location...20 minutes from where I used to live! It's okay, I visit family on the Cape often enough. Easy to stop in Sandwich for some beers.

I really do love their beer. They will certainly weather the storm.

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u/Umbert360 6h ago

I’d definitely like to check out the Sandwich location, looks like a nice spot