From cozy neighborhood taprooms to ten-year-old local legends, the craft beer world is being rocked by a huge wave of closures. Over 250 breweries have shut their doors so far in 2025 – including a handful of personal favorites – and unfortunately the worst may be yet to come.
Small brewers are facing stiff competition in a saturated market – plus inflation and industry consolidation – and the cracks are starting to show.
Local names, national trend
In Connecticut, beloved locals like Thimble Island Brewing and No Worries Brewing recently closed amid steep competition and shifting tastes.
In Texas, Alamo Beer Company has filed for bankruptcy, while North Shepard Brewing recently closed its doors for good.
And again, these are just a handful of the 250+ craft breweries wiped out so far this year.
Nor is this the only sector of the alcohol industry suffering.
Bourbon hit too
For years it seemed that the bourbon market could do no wrong.
That abruptly changed as a wave of major distilleries closing has set the whole industry on the back foot.
It’s the same story as craft beer – inflation, changing tastes, and the impacts of lost exports from the trade war.
But when it comes down to it, my sympathies lie especially with:
The real victims
Call it what you will – the market rightsizing, cooling off, or stagnating – but the real impacts are felt by all the craft beer fans who now have to find new brands to try and taprooms to enjoy.
And with 250+ craft brewers already closed this year, that’s going to be a lot of impacted fans nationwide.
What are your favorite brands that have gone under? Share a comment and let us know! Let’s all commiserate together.
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