Colorado's largest breweries see sales tank in tough market

Sales at Colorado's seven largest craft breweries fell sharply in 2024, signaling a downturn in the state's brewing scene. Monster, which owns the Oskar Blues brand, reported a 12% sales decline, while Left Hand and Upslope also experienced significant drops. Conversely, WeldWerks, 4 Noses, and Prost saw growth, driven by production expansions and new-wave beer styles that attract changing consumer tastes. The Brewer's Association noted that 31 breweries closed last year, with a higher estimate of 41 closures from the Colorado Beverage Coalition. Only 25 new breweries opened during the same period, reflecting a challenging environment for the industry.

Shawnee Adelson, executive director of the state's brewers guild, emphasized the need for community support for local breweries. The data may not capture all breweries, as some do not disclose sales figures, and major conglomerates are excluded from the analysis. This situation underscores the difficulties faced by the craft beer market amid shifting consumer preferences.