Craft Beer Craze Wanes as US Breweries Shutter
The once-booming craft beer industry faces challenges as COVID-19 downturns and changing consumer habits force breweries to close across the US.
The craft beer industry, once a shining star in the world of brewing, appears to be facing a significant downturn as the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting consumer preferences take a toll on breweries across the United States.
Chris Bell, a former student at the University of Colorado Boulder, followed a common path among those interested in the craft beer movement. He started homebrewing, then spent years honing his skills at established craft beer makers like Long Trail Brewing in Vermont and Avery Brewing in Colorado before opening his own venture, Call to Arms Brewing Company, in 2015 in Denver.
Despite the challenges of a crowded market, Bell's business was successful for a time. His More Like Bore-O-Phyll beer even won a gold medal in the fresh or wet hop ale category at the 2018 World Beer Cup. A local outlet called it one of the city's best breweries, and it had a 4.7 rating from more than 400 reviews on Google.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic downturns have taken a significant toll on the craft beer industry. Reduced alcohol consumption and the closure of bars and restaurants have forced many breweries to shutter their operations, ending the once-booming trend.
The challenges facing the industry are not limited to the pandemic's effects. Changing consumer preferences, with some drinkers gravitating towards hard seltzer and other alcoholic beverages, have also contributed to the decline of the craft beer craze.
The struggles of the craft beer industry are not limited to individual businesses like Call to Arms Brewing. According to industry data, the number of breweries in the United States peaked in 2019 at over 8,000, but since then, more than 1,000 have closed their doors.
The downfall of the craft beer industry has far-reaching implications, not only for the businesses themselves but also for the communities that have come to rely on these breweries as hubs of economic activity and cultural identity. As the industry continues to face challenges, the future of the once-booming craft beer movement remains uncertain.
Source: The Guardian
