Craft Beer Market Trends & New Hop Releases – August 2025
Meta Description:
August 2025 craft beer update: market slowdown, brewery closures, and the debut of Vera hops bringing tropical flavor and new hope to brewers.
Market Slowdown Signals Trouble for Craft Beer
The craft beer industry is facing a challenging summer.
According to the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI), July scored 42—well below the neutral mark of 50. The craft segment came in even lower at 25, showing a steep drop in distributor orders.
The Brewers Association midyear report paints a similar picture. As of June 2025:
- 9,269 craft breweries are operating in the U.S. — a 1% decline from last year.
- Overall craft beer volume is down 5%.
- Nearly half of breweries surveyed reported lower production levels.
Between January and June alone, more than 250 breweries closed. Rising rents, higher ingredient costs, and lingering trade tariffs are the main culprits.
Hop Supply, Oversupply Concerns, and Adaptation
Hop production is also shifting. The Hop Growers of America 2025 report shows global hop acreage fell by 7.7%, and the total crop is down 3.9%. However, higher alpha acid levels are helping offset the decline.
Vera: A Bright Spot for Brewers
There is some good news on the innovation front. This year’s Great American Beer Festival will feature the debut of Vera, a mildew-resistant hop variety with vibrant tropical fruit and peach flavors.
Vera was developed through public hop breeding programs, keeping costs down for growers and brewers alike. New hop varieties like this may help spark creativity, lower ingredient costs, and attract curious beer drinkers back to the taps.
What It All Means
The craft beer market is contracting, with fewer breweries and lower production across the board. Yet innovation remains a powerful tool for survival. Brewers who embrace new hop varieties, adapt recipes to changing tastes, and control costs could weather the downturn—and even come out stronger.