It’s been a rough year for craft. Brewer’s Association estimates the industry is down over 5%. We lost some big and fairly well established names Rogue, 21st Amendment, and Seattle’s  Pike’s Pub. Here in the Carolinas it seems every week someone is announcing a closure. Every case is different but lease renewal increases, reduced consumer spending, or simple aging out with no successor are all being cited. It used to be common that if a brewery made it past the first three years it would make it, but obviously those days are gone.

So what’s next? What will 2026 bring us?

I don’t know, but I’d like to stay engaged in the beer world and so this website is my plan for 2026. Write about the beer and people who make it special. I hope you’ll join me for the ride.