Beer Is Declining in America. The Saga of One Tells Part of the Story.

"Bell's, famous for its Two Hearted IPA and summer-coded Oberon, was founded in 1985 as Kalamazoo Brewing Co. in Michigan. In that first year, it brewed 135 barrels. Today, it brews nearly 500,000 barrels annually. A barrel is roughly 31 gallons, or about two kegs' worth of beer. So the brewery's production went from around 270 kegs in 1986 to around 934,000 kegs today."

"Something else has happened to Bell's amid all that growth. In 2021, founder Larry Bell sold the brewery to one of the biggest beverage companies in the world, a huge moment that the average drinker might not have noticed. Sometimes, it seems as if Bell's wants it that way, especially if the company saw any outraged forums for beer fans during and after the sale."

Bell's Brewery, known for Two Hearted IPA and Oberon, began as Kalamazoo Brewing Co. in 1985 and brewed 135 barrels in its first year. Production rose to nearly 500,000 barrels annually, growing from roughly 270 kegs in 1986 to about 934,000 kegs today. Founder Larry Bell sold the brewery in 2021 to one of the world's largest beverage companies. Craft beer in America expanded from 1,468 breweries in 2004 to 4,014 in 2014 and 9,922 in 2024. Growth has plateaued by 2026, with 2025 marking the second consecutive year when closings outpaced openings. Rising input costs and shifting customer behavior now challenge brewers and the market.

Read at Slate Magazine