Craft Beer in 2026: Why Breweries Are Focusing on Profitability, Community, and Taproom Experience

The craft beer industry has officially entered a new era.

And many of the most important conversations shaping that future will continue this June at.

Unlike larger industry events focused on broad industry trends, CBP Connects Chicago which is taking place at Revolution Brewery June 15 - 18 next month is built specifically for brewery operators looking for practical ideas around profitability, hospitality, taproom operations, staffing, and sustainable growth.

GoTab is proud to sponsor the event and support the broader craft beer community.

Sessions will cover:

• Brewery profitability
• Hospitality strategy
• Taproom experience
• Margins and operational efficiency
• Community building
• Leadership and staffing
• Revenue diversification

Join us at the GoTab panel, Finding Money in Your Brewery Through Margins, Efficiencies, and Smarter Decisions. Moderator: Adam Howe (GoTab)

Panelists:

• Chris Farmand (Small Batch Standard)
• Mike Corneille (Pryes Brewing)
• Tim Wilson (Caboose Brewing)

Every dollar matters right now. From getting your team more confident selling to-go beer to tightening up production and operating costs, small decisions are having an outsized impact on the bottom line. This panel brings together financial and operational leaders from across the industry to share where breweries are actually finding money today.

Qualified brewery operators can request complimentary passes here: https://gotab.com/events/join-gotab-at-cbp-connects-chicago#form 

These themes were also front and center at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia, where one message surfaced repeatedly in conversations between operators, consultants, and hospitality leaders: Growth looks different now.

In the latest episode of Behind the Tab, Patricia Mejia sat down with brewery and hospitality leaders to unpack what that shift means for operators navigating a more mature, more competitive, and more operationally demanding craft beer landscape.

The conversation featured:

• Kevin Irvin (“Swirv”), Operations Manager at Atlantucky
• Andrew Coplon, founder of Craft Beer Professionals
• Chris Farmand, founder of Small Batch Standard

Their conclusion? For many breweries, “flat” may actually represent stability, sustainability, and smart decision-making in today’s market.

The Industry Is Reframing Growth

For years, growth in craft beer often meant expanding distribution, increasing production, and chasing shelf space. But according to Kevin Irvin, that model no longer works for every brewery.

“Atlantucky” has shifted away from distribution-focused growth and toward a more sustainable operating model centered around community, events, and repeat guests.

Instead of constantly chasing new customers, the brewery is investing more intentionally in the people who already support the business.

That means:

• Building recurring experiences
• Strengthening local relationships
• Creating community-oriented programming
• Developing loyalty beyond the transaction

It’s a meaningful shift from “How do we get bigger?” to “How do we become more resilient?”

Hospitality Is Becoming the Competitive Advantage

One of the most important insights from the episode was the idea that beer alone is no longer enough to differentiate a brewery. As Andrew Coplon pointed out, nearly every brewery today makes good beer. Many also host trivia nights, live music, markets, and events. So what actually separates successful breweries? The answer increasingly comes down to hospitality.

Operators are focusing more intentionally on:

• Staff engagement
• Guest experience
• Taproom atmosphere
• Service flow
• Community connection
• Operational execution

The breweries winning today are often the ones delivering the strongest overall experience — not just the best IPA. That shift is also changing how breweries think about their spaces. The taproom itself has become the product.

Why “Super Fans” Matter More Than Casual Traffic

One of the strongest themes from the conversation was the importance of building “super fans.” Rather than relying heavily on one-time visitors or event-driven traffic, operators are increasingly prioritizing consistent local guests who return repeatedly and advocate for the brand.

Kevin Irvin described this as becoming “less transactional” with customers.

That mindset affects:

• Event planning
• Marketing strategy
• Partnerships
• Loyalty initiatives
• Staff culture
• Community involvement

At Atlantucky, events are designed not simply to attract attendance, but to deepen relationships and encourage guests to return again and again.

The brewery has partnered with organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank and aligned programming around shared community values.

For breweries navigating slower industry growth, repeat guests and loyal communities are becoming increasingly valuable.

Focus Is Replacing Expansion

Chris Farmand summarized the industry’s shift in a single word: Focus. Rather than pursuing every possible revenue stream or expansion opportunity, many successful breweries are narrowing their attention toward what actually drives profitability.

That may include:

• Improving taproom efficiency
• Expanding food programs
• Refining events
• Enhancing operational systems
• Increasing margin visibility
• Streamlining staffing models

The breweries surviving and thriving right now are often the ones making disciplined decisions instead of reactive ones. And importantly, those decisions are increasingly data-driven.

The Summer Reset Opportunity

As the conversation wrapped up, Chris Farmand shared a practical framework breweries can implement immediately heading into summer. His recommendation:

1. Review last year’s sales and performance data
2. Set realistic summer goals
3. Align the team around those goals
4. Build clear execution plans before peak season begins

It’s a reminder that profitability often comes from operational consistency, not dramatic reinvention. In a market where growth looks different than it did five years ago, one thing remains clear: The breweries building strong communities, memorable experiences, and operational discipline are positioning themselves to thrive long term.

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