The beer biz never sleeps at American Craft Beer. And here’s just some of what’s been happening in the beer world while you were enjoying the weekend.

Health-Conscious Beers Surge Around The World

Reflecting a growing health consciousness lower alcohol,  lower-carb and zero-sugar beer options are gaining traction in beer markets across the globe. . While non-alcoholic beer appeals to those prioritizing health over buzz, reduced-ingredient beers cater to consumers seeking both health benefits and mild intoxication.

From last June to September, ‘Sapporo 70,  a beer with 70% less purine, a compound linked to gout, outsold popular brands like Tsingtao, Heineken, Budweiser, Stella, and Guinness, trailing only Asahi Super Dry is South Korea according to The Chosun.

In the US, Michelob Ultra, a low-carb and lower caloric brew surpassed Modelo Especial to become the top-selling beer in the Nation. In Japan, ‘zero-carbohydrate’ beverages like Kirin’s ‘Ichibanshibori Zero Carbohydrate are surging as breweries around the world shift their messaging to showcase health and lower alcohol  beers, specifically targeting millennials and Gen Z consumers.

According to market research firm Wise Guy Report, the global low-carb beer market is projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to $8.5 billion in 2030 and Zero-sugar beer is expected to nearly double by 2023.

Words to Drink By

“I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.” – Tom Waits, American singer-songwriter, composer, actor, and Grammy Award winner

Tony Hawk / Black Plague Instagram)

 Black Plague Brewing Closes

Founded in 2015 by Jordan Hoffart a professional skateboarder who has played a major role in the skateboard industry for decades, along with Jarred Doss, Black Plague Brewing a legendary SoCal brewery which channeled the skateboarder ethos and lifestyle abruptly closed its doors for good on September 28.

The 13,000-square-foot Oceanside brewery and its Escondido location, the Purgatory Lounge, both shut their doors, with the announcement coming from the brewery’s official Instagram account. Black Plague Brewing was known for its dark metal music branding, deep connections to skate and music culture, themed events, and collaborations with professional skateboarding champions like Tony Hawk.

In 2019 Black Plague took home a gold medal at the San Diego International Beer Competition for its American-style Hazy Pale Ale, Hazy Scandal. A big win, in an uber-hot category, in a region with nearly 130 cutting-edge breweries at that time. During its eight years in business, the brewery also earned numerous awards at major competitions including the Brewers Cup of California and US. Open Beer Championships.

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