Apr 23, 2025 - Food and Drink
Seattle not immune from craft beer woes
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The craft brewing market is in the tank.
Why it matters: The once-thriving industry struggled to stay afloat in 2024 after posting its third consecutive year with negative growth, a trend driven by market saturation and shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger drinkers.
State of play: Craft beer production declined 4% in 2024, the largest drop in industry history outside the pandemic, according to data released this month by the Brewers Association.
- The number of small, independent breweries operating in the U.S. decreased for the first time in 20 years, with 501 closures compared to 434 openings.
Zoom in: As of last year, Seattle was home to more than 60 breweries, according to the Washington Beer Blog.
- Two of those — Georgetown Brewing and Fremont Brewing — ranked among the top 50 craft breweries nationwide by sales volume last year, per the Brewers Association.
- But several others, including Ballard Beer Company, Two Beers Brewing Company and Lowercase Brewing, have closed since the end of 2023.