The craft beer market continued its historic decline in 2025, but there is room for optimism at a few craft breweries in Ohio.

Why it matters: The persistent downward trend is startling the once-booming industry and forcing brewers to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages.

State of beer: The total number of craft breweries fell to 9,578, a 2.9% net decline from 2024, as openings declined sharply and 481 closed in 2025, a report released by the Brewers Association reveals.

• The industry saw a 5% decrease in production last year, a new low outside the pandemic and follows a 4% slump in 2024.

Between the lines: 60% of breweries reported reductions in beermaking, while the remainder saw modest growth.

What they're saying: "While it's probably premature to say the industry has settled into a 'new normal,' there are many indications that we are moving in that direction," Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association, said in a statement.

The other side: Craft beer outperformed the broader beer market, which declined 5.7% decline.

• Pennsylvania-based Yuengling remains the nation's largest craft brewery, followed by Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer Co.

Zoom in: Columbus-based Garage Beer Co., which is co-owned by Cleveland Heights natives Jason and Travis Kelce, has become Ohio's largest craft brewery by volume and ranks No. 12 nationwide.

• Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewing (No. 26) and Fat Head's in Middleburg Heights (No. 50) also ranked in the top 50.

What we're watching: The report suggests breweries with strong brands and differentiated offerings are holding steady or expanding.

• More breweries are moving in that direction, serving hard seltzers, canned cocktails and adding food to appeal to a broader consumer base.

The bottom line

One of the biggest talkers in Cleveland this month involves the Rocky River High School baseball team and a controversial trip to an out-of-town tournament.

Catch up quick: Head coach Ed Piazza and assistant coach Michael Harper both resigned after an incident on a team trip to Myrtle Beach.

State of play: The team won all four of its games in the South Atlantic Bank Invitational, then went into town to celebrate and scuffled with a local college fraternity, per multiple media reports.

• Law enforcement was summoned at 3:41am on April 11, per a police report obtained by News 5 and others, to sort out the sides of the story. No one was injured or charged.

What they're saying: In a letter to Rocky River baseball families, school officials said that after they learned of the incident, they began an investigation with the aid of the Rocky River Police Department. This resulted in the resignations of Piazza and Harper.

The other side: Piazza released a statement on April 16.

• ​​"While I understand the situation may have created concerns or negative perceptions for the school and the Rocky River baseball program, it is important to state clearly that no wrongdoing occurred on our part."

What we're hearing: The local chatter at water coolers and on social media has split largely into two camps.

• Some feel the coaches, as chaperones, were negligent by letting the team celebrate late into the night.
• Others contend that "boys will be boys," and the coaching staff responsibly ensured players' safety and involved law enforcement as necessary.

🤔 What do you think? Were the coaches wrongfully pushed out?

• Or should some measure of misbehavior be expected (and accommodated) on high school trips like these?

Reply to this email to let us know your thoughts.

🛀 Developers have received schematic approval for a Scandinavian-style wellness facility on the Scranton Peninsula. (NEOtrans)

🏢 A U.S. District judge has concluded foreclosure proceedings on Reserve Square, the apartment complex at East 12th Street and Superior Avenue, clearing the way for its auction later this year. (Crain's Cleveland Business 🔐)

🎓 Ohio's public universities are eliminating nearly 90 degree programs as a result of Senate Bill 1.

• The law requires that any undergraduate program with less than five degrees awarded annually over a three-year period must be chopped. (WKYC)

☕️ 601 Coffee House opened yesterday inside City Hall. (Cleveland.com)

Cuyahoga County Public Library recently cut the ribbon on a new 22,000-square-foot branch in Parma Heights.

Why it matters: Like other new and planned branches in CCPL's portfolio, it's designed as more than just a place to check out books.

• Modern libraries are evolving into community hubs. The Parma Heights branch, local leaders say, will connect residents to educational and workforce development opportunities.

Vibe check: It also looks gorgeous.

• Designed by architecture firm Bialosky, the new branch features an open-concept design with natural light, plus expanded meeting rooms, a tech classroom and an Innovation Center maker space.
• It also abuts the Metroparks Connector Trail.

Zoom in: The branch will house Aspire Greater Cleveland, offering free adult education and job training.

• It will also be co-located with an early learning center run by The Centers.

What they're saying: "This reimagined Parma Heights Branch is a powerful example of how shared spaces can strengthen families and communities," said Eric Morse, president and CEO of The Centers, at the ribbon cutting.

What's next: The early learning space will open until later this fall.

New polling shows an uptick in religious fervor among young men, even as overall U.S. levels remain near historic lows.

Driving the news: A Gallup poll released Thursday found that 42% of young men between the ages of 18-to-29 now say religion is "very important" in their lives.

• That's up from 28% just a few years ago.

Reality check: An Axios review of other recent surveys showed slight increases in reported church attendance among Gen Z men but little to suggest they're driving a "revival" like the Third Great Awakening of the early 1900s or post–World War II religious boom.

• Tens of thousands of churches are expected to close over the next several years, as a record number of Americans (29%) are identifying as religiously unaffiliated.

Zoom in: Northeast Ohio has several churches engaging Gen Z, including Word Church and Bethel Cleveland.

• The latter has its own young adults outreach program that includes a podcast.