In 2023, the craft beer market of the U.S. saw a decrease in its number of functioning breweries for the first time since 2005. The industry has faced ongoing challenges, with numerous craft breweries fighting to stay afloat. The latest name to appear in this backdrop is Brüeprint Brewing Company, which has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Highlights
- Brüeprint Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 this April.
- Other companies like Alamo Beer Company LLC and Busted Sandal Brewing Co. are also either opting for a bankruptcy filing or complete shutdown.
- The number of new craft brewery openings went down for the fourth consecutive year in 2025.
Brüeprint Brewing Company Filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Having started in 2014, the company used to brew 18 types of craft beers. This includes Brüe Scarlet Amber Ale, Midnight Brüe, Brüenette, Edinbrüe Scotch Ale, and Pale Brüe Eyes.
Brüeprint’s craft beers were sold in numerous North Carolina venues, including restaurants and bottle shops.. Some of its sellers were Total Wine & More, Fresh Market, Lowe’s Food, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Weaver Street Markets, and Food Lion.
On April 9, the company initiated Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings, with intentions to liquidate and close. Brüeprint Brewing Company is also planning to liquidate its listed assets from $100,000 to $1 million. The bankruptcy petition revealed that the craft brewer has $1.78 million in liabilities.
Brüeprint Brewing Company stated that it had insufficient assets to pay its creditors. However, it did not cite any reason for its bankruptcy filing.
This development follows the company’s announcement last fall of closing one of its taprooms and relocating its operations. No details about the exact place were revealed, though. In less than a year of this decision, Brüeprint Brewing Company has filed for bankruptcy.
Other Breweries Choosing Shutdown or Bankruptcy Filing
Brüeprint is not alone; many craft brewers are contending with similar financial hardships. Names like Texas-based Alamo Beer Company LLC also filed for Chapter 11 liquidation to manage debts.
The year 2024 saw the closure of breweries like Busted Sandal and Weathered Souls. On the other hand, Freetail Brewing Co. bid goodbye to its beer-related operations.
Cotton House Craft Brewers, another North Carolina brewery, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this April. The decision came after it shared on social media about its financial troubles for the last two years.
In the coming May, Salt Lake City-based Squatters and Wasatch Taproom & Beer Store may also stop their operations.
A Downward Trend for the U.S. Beer Market
The series of bankruptcy filings and shutdown of popular U.S. breweries is reiterated by the industry findings. The number of new craft brewery openings went down for the fourth consecutive year in 2025. The Brewers Association stated in its April report that 501 breweries closed and only 434 opened in the U.S.
Additionally, there was a 4% decrease in craft beer production, as only 23.1 million beer barrels were produced in 2024.
The overall beer market shrunk by 1.2% in volume. The share of the industry was flat at 13.3%, the same as was achieved in 2023.
The declining craft beer production, coupled with shrinking market share, signals a struggling future for the industry in the coming months. With more craft beer companies closing than opening and existing ones filing for bankruptcy, the craft beer market will take time to get back to normalcy.
