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Washington's number of craft breweries declined slightly last year — part of a broader national slowdown in the once-booming industry.
Why it matters: The persistent downward trend is startling brewers and forcing many to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages, Axios' John Frank writes.
Zoom in: Washington had 438 craft breweries in 2025, down from 444 a year earlier, according to Brewers Association data released this month.
Yes, but: Those breweries still produced slightly more beer in 2025, with overall production rising about 1%.
The bottom line: Although Washington's craft breweries peaked in number in 2023, the state remains an industry leader.