What’s Brewing for 2025?

As we raise a glass to the new year, craft beer enthusiasts are already buzzing about what the coming year will bring to their pint glasses. As breweries balance creativity with sustainability, this year promises to deliver exciting trends and bold experiments to meet the evolving tastes of beer lovers worldwide. Here’s a look at what’s brewing for the craft beer scene in 2025.

10 Craft Beer Trends Brewing for 2025

1. Hyper-Local Ingredients

Sustainability and a commitment to local sourcing are set to dominate the craft beer world in 2025. Brewers are doubling down on locally grown hops, grains, and even adjuncts like fruits and spices. Expect to see unique flavors that reflect the brewery’s region dominate tap lists, like beers brewed with desert herbs in the Southwest or coastal seaweed in the Pacific Northwest.

2. Low-Alcohol and Non-Alcoholic Beers

As health-conscious consumers seek mindful drinking options, the demand for low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beers continues to rise. These offerings are becoming more sophisticated, with brewers focusing on crafting full-bodied, flavorful beers that don’t compromise on taste. 2025 is set to be the non-alcoholic beer category’s breakout year – look for an explosion of NA stouts, sours, and IPAs.

3. AI-Driven Brewing

Artificial intelligence is helping breweries innovate like never before. In 2025, more craft breweries will leverage AI to enhance the brewing process by optimizing recipes, predicting consumer preferences, and even controlling fermentation processes. This tech-drive approach allows brewers to cater to specific flavor profiles while minimizing waste.

4. Experimental Yeasts and Fermentation Techniques

Fermentation innovation is taking center stage as brewers experiment with novel yeast strains, including wild and hybrid yeasts, to create unique flavor profiles. From farmhouse ales with funky overtones to tart and fruity sours, this will be a year of pushing boundaries with fermentation. Watch for a resurgence of ancient brewing methods alongside modern techniques in 2025.

5. Creative Collabs Across Industries

Collaborations between craft brewers and non-beer industries, such as coffee roasters, distilleries, chocolatiers, and even fashion brands, are rising. These partnerships create one-of-a-kind beers that reflect cross-industry creativity, such as bourbon-barrel-aged stouts infused with single-origin coffee.

6. Flavored Lagers and Pilsners

Craft lagers and pilsners have steadily increased in popularity as drinkers seek more sessionable options. In 2025, these traditional styles will get a creative twist, with brewers reinventing them with flavors like tropical fruits, spices, and even smoked ingredients.

7. Sustainability at Every Step

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword – it’s a core focus for breweries. In 2025, expect more craft breweries to adopt innovative energy-efficient brewing methods, water conservation practices, and eco-friendly packaging. From carbon-neutral brewing facilities to recyclable or compostable six-pack holders, the push for greener brewing will only intensify.

8. Rise of Craft Hard Beverages

The craft beer industry is expanding into adjacent categories like craft hard seltzers, ciders, and teas. In 2025, expect to see breweries experimenting with hybrid beverages that combine elements of beer with these popular drinks, appealing to a broader audience.

9. Hop-Free Innovations

While hops are a staple of most beers, some brewers are exploring alternatives, creating hop-free beers that rely on herbs, spices, and other botanicals for flavor. These innovative brews cater to those looking for something different while showcasing the versatility of beer-making.

10. Event-Driven Beer Experiences

As the world embraces experiential consumption, craft breweries are upping their game with immersive beer events. From beer and food pairing dinners to interactive brewing workshops and themed festivals, 2025 will offer beer lovers plenty of ways to connect with their favorite brews in person.

Taste the Trends at The Growler Guys

The craft beer industry is as dynamic as ever, with 2025 poised to brew up bold innovation and meaningful sustainability. Whether cracking open a non-alcoholic IPA, sipping a wild ale brewed with foraged botanicals, or enjoying a perfectly balanced pilsner, there’s no better place to enjoy the trends than your local Growler Guys. With our extensive rotating tap list, you’ll always find the latest in craft beer. Stop in for a pint, flight, or growler fill, and cheers to a flavorful future!