Rumor Mill: Beer Industry Champions “Beer Bringing People Together” / Rice Lagers Gain Cred

American Craft Beer|January 16th, 2026|

It appears that the once widely dismissed Rice Lager has finally been granted the “official” cred it has so long deserved. We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more.

Beer Biz Champions Beer Bringing People Together

On January 14^th The nation’s leading beer trade associations, the Beer Institute and the Brewers Association, joined together for a first-of-its-kind Day of Action, celebrating the versatility of beer as the beverage for moderation.

Kicking off its coordinated Day of Action the campaign amplified beer’s core strengths: beer bringing people together.

As part of the Day of Action, brewers, beer importers, distributors and suppliers shared a unified message, highlighting beer’s unique place in American culture and its commitment to responsible enjoyment.

“Beer has the unique ability to bring people together and foster social connection, and today we are reminding consumers of its role in promoting moderation,” said Brian Crawford, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. “With a range of styles, beer is the perfect choice for any social occasion. I’m heartened to see our industry come together to share this message.”

“Beer plays a special role in the American experience. Beer is social, it brings people together and unites communities for both celebration and reflection,” Craig Purser, president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association added. “We’re proud to stand together as an industry on this Day of Action to support beer’s role in responsible enjoyment.”

“Beer’s variety and approachability—with locally made options in communities across the country—make it the natural choice for moderation,” said Bart Watson, president and CEO of the Brewers Association. “Brewers are committed to responsible enjoyment and offering choices that meet people where they are.”

Words to Drink By

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United State, a statesman, diplomat scientist, inventor and writer

Rice Lagers Gain Cred

There was a time when the rice was considered a mass market adjunct that disqualified a brew from being considered a true craft beer in the eyes of the national trade organization, Brewers Association. But those days are “officially” over.

In the early 2000s, a brewer only qualified as “craft” if the majority of their sales were all-malt (barley or wheat) beers. Using adjuncts back then to “lighten” flavor was previously seen as non-traditional. But in 2014 the BA Board of Directors “softened” the its stance on adjunct ingredients like rice or corn, redefining them as traditional or innovative brewing ingredients rather than markers of non-craft production.

And now as of January 2026, the BA has further formalized the status of rice by adding Rice Lager as a distinct category in its official 2026 Beer Style Guidelines. This update reflects the increasing popularity of craft brewers exploring diverse rice varieties to meet consumer demand for lighter-bodied, sessionable beers.