Craft Beer Trends: The Coolest Brews of 2025 

Social media conversations about craft beer are on the rise, and for good reason! The craft beer landscape is rapidly evolving and giving way to a growing number of craft beer trends that emphasize flavor, adaptability and sustainability. 

Top 15 craft beer trends in 2025

With Tastewise reporting that over 15% of all U.S. restaurants currently offer beer on their menus, it’s fair to say that beer is a longstanding fixture of food and beverage culture. By definition, however, craft beers stand apart from the crowd thanks to their local vibes and limitless variety. 

As consumer interest in local and craft beer options continues to grow, here are a few of the must-know craft beer trends driving demand in 2025: 

Hyper-localization

Part of the draw of craft beer is its potential for localization. Neighborhood breweries are increasingly turning to local farms for hops, fruits, herbs and other ingredients that will drive up local demand while capitalizing on local flavor preferences.

Low and no-ABV 

With research suggesting that nearly half of all Americans are attempting to drink less in 2025, it’s no surprise that breweries across the country are rolling out low-ABV and alcohol-free craft beer alternatives. 

Hybrid styles

Blends like cold IPAs, coffee stouts and sake-inspired ales are rapidly gaining momentum among younger, more adventurous drinkers.

Fruited sours

Fruited sours are made by adding fruit to a standard sour beer base for added depth of flavor and freshness. These bold twists on classic sours are hitting different with younger demographics who are increasingly reaching for new and exciting beverage options while socializing. 

Smoothie beers

Some breweries are taking fruited sours one step further by adding fruit puree to their sour offerings in order to create a thick, sweet beverage reminiscent of a fruit smoothie. These brews are particularly popular for their Instagrammability, as they add aesthetic appeal to any meal. 

Sustainable solutions

Far and away, the number one consumer demand driving the craft beer market is sustainability. With Tastewise reporting that sustainability tops the charts for consumer needs, it’s no surprise breweries of all sizes are embracing sustainable practices from packaging to production and beyond. 

Barrel-aging

If you thought barrel-aging was just for wine and bourbon, think again. Aging beers in barrels adds complexity of flavor and provides an elevated beer experience for drinkers of all tastes.  

Nitro beers

Smooth, creamy nitro pours aren’t just restricted to Guinness trends anymore. Multiple varieties of beers like IPAs and stouts are the perfect vehicles for silky nitro brews.  

Canned crossovers 

Many craft brewers are hopping on the latest canned wine trends to deliver ready-to-drink (RTD), cocktail-inspired beers and seltzers that can be enjoyed anywhere and any time.  

Girl bosses 

While the craft beer landscape was once a male-dominated industry, female-owned breweries are making major waves across the country. With hundreds of woman-led businesses churning out innovative craft beers, it’s easy for all consumers to find brands that resonate for them like never before. 

Wild science 

Innovative and experimental fermentation methods are adding even more variety into the craft beer space. Wild fermentation and other creative brewing methods are pushing the limits of both flavor and production. 

Limited releases

Local producers and micro-breweries are perfectly positioned to roll out limited releases of trendy and innovative products. From seasonal selections to locally-inspired flavor combinations, craft breweries can generate major interest by leveraging the exclusivity of limited edition offerings. 

Global flavors

In response to international beer trends like Guinness trends and Corona beer trends, many breweries are developing craft beers that incorporate global and international flavors, which is perfectly on par with other food and beverage trends across the sector. 

Retro revivals 

Nostalgia is a major mover and shaker in the modern American food and beverage landscape, and the beer industry is not immune to the trend. Classic beer styles like pilsners and brown ales are making a nationwide comeback thanks to their comforting, classic vibes. 

Flight it up 

2025 saw a huge uptick in interest in wine flights, and craft beer flights are making similar impressions both online and IRL. Many local breweries are offering flights of fan-favorite selections to give consumers a fun and convenient way to get acquainted with their one-of-a-kind offerings. 

All of these beer trends highlight how today’s consumers value an elusive combination of versatility, quality and creativity. Even as consumers increasingly embrace non-alcoholic beverage options, many are just as willing to pay a premium price for a locally-crafted, flavor-forward beverage experience.  

Craft beer market share

In 2024, craft beer accounted for over 13% of the total U.S. beer market, according to the Brewers Association. Subsequently, employment within the craft beer industry has skyrocketed in recent years, giving way to a large and diverse sector that is rapidly scaling to meet growing consumer demand. 

Craft beer also accounts for a staggering percentage of social media mentions among likely beer consumers. In fact, Tastewise data reveals that 85% of all beer-related posts explicitly refer to craft beers. This data point reveals the growing interest in craft beer among young, social-savvy consumers and highlights the likely expansion of this sector in years to come.

Craft beer sales and consumption: By the numbers

In addition to some of the stats outlined above, a number of other data points underscore the unique position of craft beer within the U.S. food and beverage market. Here are some of the most eye-catching stats that speak to the current state of the craft beer industry in the United States: 

• In 2024, there were 9,796 craft breweries operating in the United States 
• Retail sales of craft beer exceeded $28 million in 2024 
• Alcohol-free craft beer has recently experienced a massive increase in social index score, according to Tastewise 
• “Hops” is the most commonly-searched beer ingredient on social media
• Dollar-for-dollar, craft beer retail sales now account for over 24% of all U.S. beer sales 

The data doesn’t lie: craft beer is making major impressions across the country and changing the way consumers and brands think about beer culture. With global food and beverage culture increasingly embracing premiumization, customization and localization, it’s no wonder so many consumers say craft beers are just the beverage option they’ve been searching for. 

What’s ahead: 2026 outlook

Looking ahead, the craft beer industry will likely see both consolidation and diversification. As infrastructure continues to grow, many breweries will likely begin (or continue) exploring adjacent markets that build upon ginger ale trends, root beer trends and other flavor innovations to deliver hybrid brews and malt-based sodas that appeal to diverse audiences. 

We will also likely see a growing emphasis on technology in the production, marketing and distribution of craft beer offerings. AI-powered consumer insight platforms will help even the smallest local breweries laser-focus on their target audiences in order to more reliably meet the changing needs of their consumers. Expect 2026 to bring:

Final thoughts

Despite a slight decrease in overall beer sales, the craft beer market has continued to thrive throughout 2025, and that momentum is well-poised to continue. Thanks to the seemingly limitless opportunities for customization and diversification offered by independent breweries, forward-thinkers have a unique opportunity to move the needle forward on a longstanding American beverage tradition. 

To stay ahead of evolving beer trends, brands can use consumer intelligence platforms like Tastewise to identify emerging flavors, tap into unique and regional preferences and build a sense of community that inspires confidence in beer-lovers from all walks of life.