Craft Beer: Openings, Closures and Awards — 2026-09-25
This week, Costco dropped Deschutes Brewery's Kirkland Signature beer line, and Northern Virginia saw a roundup of 19 recent restaurant, winery, and brewery closures. Australia's Beer & Brewer Awards revealed a record field of 2026 finalists, while Japan braces for a major beer tax overhaul in October and two festival events showcase Tokyo-region craft breweries.
Craft Beer: Openings, Closures and Awards — 2026-09-25
Top developments
Costco ends Kirkland beer partnership with Deschutes Brewery
Costco has discontinued its Kirkland Signature beer made in partnership with well-known craft brewer Deschutes, a notable blow to the brand's retail footprint. Private-label contracts like this have been a meaningful revenue channel for mid-size craft breweries as taproom sales soften. Losing a high-volume account like Costco underscores the ongoing retail pressure on craft producers in 2026.
Northern Virginia: 19 recent closures include breweries and brewpubs
A new roundup catalogues 19 recent restaurant, winery, and brewery closures across Northern Virginia as of September 24, with brewpubs among the casualties. The tally illustrates how bar-and-restaurant-linked brewing keeps shedding outlets even as standalone taprooms hang on. It's consistent with Brewers Association midyear data showing the number of operating breweries continuing to contract.
Beer & Brewer Awards 2026: record finalists revealed
A record number of nominations has produced a strong finalist field for the 2026 Beer & Brewer Awards, revealed on September 24. The awards are a key barometer for the Australian and New Zealand craft scenes. Finalists will be watched closely for the lager-versus-IPA split that is reshaping medal tables globally.
Craft lager renaissance gains momentum
Industry commentary this week highlights the craft lager renaissance in full swing: brewers are pivoting back to crisp pilsners and helles as palate fatigue with heavy hazy IPAs transforms demand. This mirrors the Food Dive analysis that craft has moved "beyond" the hazy-IPA glory days toward classic styles and experience-driven formats. Expect lagers to keep taking自家 medal share at GABF and World Beer Cup-style competitions as taproom menus rebalance.
Local view
Japan: Kanko news outlet Sankei reports DREAMBEER will hold the participatory "Craft Beer General Election 2026 in Futako-Tamagawa" from October 8, where fans vote for the No. 1 beer "party" from selections drawn from 90 breweries and 270-plus labels nationwide — a community-driven snapshot of Japanese craft popularity. Meanwhile, Japanese beer expert Yamaji Rikuya cautions on Yahoo! News Expert that the October unification of Japan's beer tax will cut beer tax by about ¥9 per 350ml can while raising taxes on happoshu and new-genre beer — a change major brewers are already restructuring around, with implications for craft pricing competition.
Context & numbers
- Japan's craft brewery count now exceeds 950 nationwide (as of 2025/early 2026 data), roughly five times the 2000s-era figure of under 200 — with craft 350ml cans retailing at ¥250–550, about 1.5–2x mainstream beer prices.
- The Brewers Association's midyear 2026 report estimated craft volume declined 4% in H1 2026, with the number of operating breweries continuing to contract, though survey responses point to resilience among breweries focused on quality and experience.
- Overall U.S. beer production and imports were down 5.7% in 2025, while craft volume sales fell 4%.
- The 2026 World Beer Cup, in its 30th year, awarded 353 medals across 118 categories — a benchmark for the style trends now playing out, including the lager resurgence.
On the radar
- OKUTAMA BEER FEST 2026 (announced September 24): breweries from across Japan plus local food markets will gather in Okutama, Tokyo — one to watch for Tokyo-region craft trend signals.
- Japan beer tax unification on October 1: watch for craft breweries repositioning as happoshu/new-genre products get pricier.
- Beer & Brewer Awards 2026 winners: with finalists now revealed, watch for the winners' announcement and any lager-sweep pattern.
- Minnesota craft scene: Twin Cities Business is examining whether recent changes can offer a lifeline to the state's brewery industry — worth tracking for one of the harder-hit regional markets.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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