Scoop: Colorado craft beer defies national downturn

Driving the news: Colorado craft brewers may be "turning the corner," Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association, tells Axios.

• The Boulder-based group's 2025 Colorado report is out later this week.

By the numbers: Colorado craft brewers produced 75,469 more barrels than in 2024 — nearly a 10% increase.

• Breweries' estimated $2.8 billion statewide economic impact in 2024 grew by $28 million in 2025.

Reality check: Colorado still lost a net 33 breweries last year, underscoring continued pressure.

What they're saying: Gacioch tells Axios that in a business "built by dreamers," many of the closures nationwide reflect a maturing industry, redefining what "success" looks like.

• "Success now could be a sustainable business, good margins and steady employment," Gacioch said.

Fun fact: The good news isn't isolated. Colorado brewers won 27 medals in the World Beer Cup last month.

What's next: Slowing closure rates and improving sales trends suggest craft brewers can continue outperforming the broader beer market.