As we close the tap on 2025, we’re taking a look back at the year through pint and pilsner glasses. This past year stands out as one of the most thoughtful chapters in the craft beer story. Innovation never slowed, but it was more about intention than extremes. From mindful drinking to rediscovering timeless styles, the year proved that craft beer isn’t just about chasing the next hype style. Keep reading for the trends that defined craft beer in 2025 and what they say about where we’re headed in the new year.
The Top Craft Beer Trends in 2025
1. Mindful Drinking and the Rise of Low-ABV Beer
Mindful drinking became mainstream in 2025. More drinkers are choosing to enjoy beer for the flavor, community, and experience more so than for the alcohol content. The low-ABV and non-alcoholic category expanded dramatically this year, with breweries proving that less doesn’t mean boring.
There was an impressive growth in sub-4% beers that delivered complexity, body, and aroma without the buzz. From crisp table beers to hop-forward low-ABV IPAs, brewers leaned into creativity to meet changing consumer demands. This shift aligns with a more lifestyle-focused approach to beer, where enjoying a pint fits into an active, balanced life.
2. The Lager Renaissance and the Return of Sessionability
If craft beer had a quiet hero in 2025, it was lager. Lagers had a breakout year with drinkers rediscovering their elegance and drinkability. Clean pilsners, helle lagers, Vienna lagers, and even dark lagers all found new fans across tap lists nationwide.
Hand-in-hand with this revival came a renewed love for sessionable beers. Drinkers were drawn toward beers they could enjoy over longer conversations, game nights, and gatherings without palate fatigue. Brewers met this newfound demand by focusing on precision and balance, proving subtlety can be just as exciting as intensity.
3. Hazy IPA Dominance… and the West Coast Comeback
Hazy IPAs remained a staple in craft beer for 2025. Hop lovers everywhere continued to turn to the juicy, aromatic brews. They weren’t the only IPAs to leave their mark on the year, though – West Coast IPAs started a comeback.
Clear, bitter, and unapologetically crisp, West Coast IPAs re-emerged as a counterpoint to the haze craze. Many breweries leaned into modernized versions with newer hop varieties while still preserving that classic dry finish.
4. Experimental, Hybrid, and Adjacent Beverages
2025 in craft beer was also a year of fearless experimentation. Brewers pushed boundaries by blending beer with influences from wine, spirits, and even functional beverages. Hybrid styles like hop-infused lagers with botanical notes, beer-wine co-ferments, and barrel-aged brews captured the taste buds of adventurous drinkers.
There was also growth in the beer-adjacent space with hard teas, hop waters, and kombucha-inspired ferments. These beverages brought new audiences into taprooms not by replacing beer, but by complementing it.
5. Localism and Sustainability at the Core
Possibly the most meaningful trend of 2025 in craft beer was the continued focus on localism and sustainability. Drinkers increasingly looked for beers that told a story about the people who brewed them, the communities they came from, and the ingredients that went into them.
Breweries doubled down on local sourcing, water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction in 2025. Sustainability wasn’t a buzzword this year – it was a commitment. Supporting breweries became a way to invest in the health of our neighborhoods and planet.
Cheers to What’s Next at The Growler Guys
2025 reminded us that there’s plenty of room for both innovation and tradition in the world of craft beer. Whether you reached for a crisp lager, hazy IPA, throwback West Coast, or a low-ABV session beer at your local Growler Guys, we’re grateful to have been a part of the memories that happen around a shared pint. As we look ahead to 2026, we’ll keep curating the styles, stories, and people that make this industry so special. Stop in today for a pint, flight, or growler fill, and cheers to another year of great beer!
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