Beer has been a huge part of Western North Carolina’s economy for decades as breweries have popped up across the landscape.

According to statistics submitted by Lisa Parker, Executive Director of the NC Craft Brewers Guild, the numbers of overall beer sales have dipped in recent years.

She wrote that beer excise tax collections data from the N.C. Department of Revenue demonstrates a 9.7% decrease in overall beer sales for the state over the past five-year period (2021-2025). She added that starting in 2024, North Carolina saw closings of breweries begin to outpace openings across the state. In 2025, though, there were 21 closures which were lower than in 2024 and 2023, with 28 and 23, respectively.

There are several reasons for the decline, according to reports and interviews. There has been an increase in non-alcoholic beverages (including NA beers and THC products), more people have adopted a healthier lifestyle, rent prices have gone up, an increase in cost from tariffs have hampered some breweries, and the economy for drinkers has shifted over the years.

As for Western North Carolina, there is hope that breweries can still survive and thrive.

“It’s maturing and it’s healing,” said Leah Ashburn, President/CEO of Highland Brewing, when asked about the state of the local beer scene. “We are past the rapid growth stage and settling into our identities or searching to further define them. As an affordable and social outing, WNC taprooms are recovering faster than some higher ticket experiences, but we all desire a full return to tourism.”

"There's obviously a lot of changes going on with Gen Z and the demographic there and how they're drinking, either less or they have so many more choices now, whether it's THC beverages, cider, or seltzer,” said Lazy Hiker headbrewer Graham Norris. “It definitely has changed the game to some extent. I think we've been isolated from that a little bit, which is kind of nice, being in a smaller community, so we haven't seen or felt that quite as much as maybe some folks in Asheville and other places have.”

Western North Carolina, like the rest of the country, has seen a massive jump in the number of breweries open and serving suds. According to Parker, North Carolina had 45 breweries in production in 2010. At the start of 2020, there were 330 breweries in production - an incredible 633% increase in brewery openings. During that same period, the overall number of U.S. craft breweries increased by 500% to over 9,500.

“Following this period of unprecedented expansion came the coronavirus. The 2020 pandemic caused significant long-term changes in consumer behavior that continue to impact our industry and the hospitality sector overall,” Parker wrote. “Studies continue to demonstrate decreased in-person socialization with reduced out-of-home activities. Remote working arrangements now seem to be here to stay, and have fundamentally altered our downtown communities and commuting patterns - resulting in even fewer opportunities for professional in-person socialization.”

It isn’t all doom and gloom, though, for this important local industry. To quote singer Jimmy Buffett, “we’ve got a lot to drink about,” and patrons are still headed to taprooms to enjoy a drink. Local breweries aren’t just serving beers anymore, but are producing NA beers or ciders or they’ve added something to the menu for everyone.

Parker said that she spoke with many owners at last November’s NC Craft Brewers Conference, who are “reassessing the operations necessary for sustainable growth, rightsizing their production, and exploring creative and innovative ways collaborative options such as contract brewing and cooperative purchasing, to ensure continued growth into the future.”

“Despite these challenges, we are seeing our breweries tapping into the potential for a new era of growth,” Parker wrote. “From shoring-up business operations and production efficiencies, ensuring high quality premium products, fostering community connections, and providing new pathways for health-conscious consumers to build brand loyalty, craft beer continues to grow, innovate, and serve its communities. While brewing good beer has always been important, it is now more critical than ever that breweries have a strong financial roadmap and near constant review of day-to-day efficiencies.”