Beer Industry Outlook: Why Leaner Operations Are the New Normal for Breweries and Suppliers

Brewing Through the Crunch: Why Leaner Is the New Normal. By AppyHour Industry Insights The beer industry has always been dynamic, but 2026 is shaping up as a reset year for breweries across the country. The numbers don’t lie: consumer demand is cooling, operating costs are rising, and many breweries are being forced to rethink their entire business model. For suppliers, this isn’t just background noise—it’s the context that defines how your brewery customers will make decisions moving forward. To thrive in this environment, suppliers must understand the realities breweries are facing and evolve alongside…