Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 16, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 13 gambling. Even the growing use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which have changed people's eating and drinking habits. "We're all competing for discretionary money," Twinney said. "I think all of those things have kind of created a storm where you've got to be good at what you do, keep delivering great value and great products, and ensure that when people are considering their entertainment choices, they select you," he said. e challenges have persisted in the years since the pandemic began, as breweries contend with rising operating costs and weaker sales. "It's been a lot tougher for breweries generally — for us as well, specifically — over the last six years," Hendler said. As of 2026, Massachusetts has seen its commercial brewery count decline from 236 to 179, according to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild. Fieen breweries opened and 17 closed over the course of 2025, according to the guild. Katie Stinchon, the guild's executive director, said it is a "substantial contraction that we need to acknowledge candidly." "ese are local businesses, employers and community gathering places, so the impact extends well beyond the beer," Stinchon said. She said that brewers are facing a number of headwinds, with high operating costs and shiing consumer habits adding pressure on their businesses. Some breweries are managing, "but sustaining a profitable business takes considerable work," she said. "ere is still tremendous creativity, quality and dedication in Massachusetts cra beer," she said. e guild helps breweries adapt through education, advocacy and connections with one another. As breweries try to right their ships, new supply chain costs have added to the squeeze. Aluminum tariffs have driven up can prices, while diesel costs have made transporting ingredients and finished beer more expensive, Hendler said. "e cost of diesel going up has impacted margins across the board," he added. But a midyear assessment from the Brewers Association, which represents about 5,400 companies nationwide, painted a slightly sunnier picture. e association said that cra beer production held steady at a 4% year-over-year decline in the first half of 2026, and noted that consumer engagement strengthened despite continued pressure on the number of operating breweries. October accounts for nearly 10% of annual beer sales nationally, Hendler said. It can represent something of a seasonal peak, but not the strongest. Sales tend to dip in the first quarter, when cold weather and post-holiday belt-tightening tend to keep people home, before picking up around major summer holidays and again during the fall and holiday seasons. "I find that when I'm talking at an industry level, it can sound very negative, but I do think the overall industry improved as it's rationalized over the last few years," Hendler said. He continued: "And some of that has been painful, right? Nobody's cheering on a brewery closing, but the rationalization that has happened has made it modestly easier to find a path forward for those who are surviving right now." Other Massachusetts brewers have pursued different strategies to draw customers, from Harpoon Brewery's expansion into festivals and experiential events to Dorchester Brewing Co.'s addition of cocktails, private events and expanded programming. Smaller operators, like Start Line Brewing, are betting on neighborhood loyalty and new taprooms to build a regular customer base. "Maybe the headline is, 'Cra beer is not dead at all,'" Twinney said. "It's more like the industry is maturing. And there are winners and losers, just like there are in the restaurant industry." W Guidance and support from a bank that cares. That's our promise. Every moment with our clients matters. At Fidelity Bank, we see every interaction as an opportunity to listen, care, and provide clarity – so you can spend less time worrying about your financial life and more time focusing on the things that matter most. Call our Client Care Team, visit a Banking Center near you, or learn more online. 800.581.5363 FidelityBankOnline.com Ted Twinney, Start Line Brewing

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