In 2025 there were more craft breweries closing than opening. There are several reasons for this phenomenon; Among them are cost of ingredients, rents going up and competition from other drinks. (Seltzers, Cider, Ready to Drink, Canned cocktails, THC drinks and others. The younger demographic is drinking less beer and alcohol in general. (This seems to be changing back to 'normal' in recent months.) Everyone's cost of living is up but many still want to go out and are more careful with their spending. The closed brewery list has several 'national' craft breweries as well as regional and individual breweries. Rogue Brewery of Newport, OR; financial issues and debt forced them to close. They were one of the first bigger craft breweries and were keeping up with the times. They have been distilling Rogue Spirits for over 20 years and had added other newer beverages to the portfolio. 21st Amendment, of San Francisco, went under in the fall. This also was sudden; I was able to find one final six pack of Brew Free or Die IPA before it was gone. Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, a 20 location of brewpubs, closed it's remaining locations late last year. The list goes on: Duck Rabbit, New Anthem, Waterman's and Indie brewing to name a few. There are still new breweries opening; if you have a good business model the craft brewery business can make it. Also, with all these closed breweries, some could get that used equipment and open up with less debt than buying all that new shiny equipment. We will see how it goes in 2006.

Cheers, Larry