Kansas City’s Craft Beer Scene: Navigating a Shifting Market

The vibrant world of Kansas City’s craft breweries is facing a challenging new chapter. After years of booming growth, 2025 has seen more local breweries closing their doors than opening, signaling a significant shift in consumer habits and market dynamics both here and nationwide. This trend has many wondering what’s next for our beloved local beer industry.

A Sobering Look at the Local and National Landscape

Kansas City has witnessed several notable brewery closures this year, including Double Shift Brewing Co. in the Crossroads, Pathlight in Shawnee, Crane in Raytown, Boho in Parkville, The Big Rip in North Kansas City, and Dubious Claims in Excelsior Springs. Even Grains & Taps scaled back, closing its downtown Lee’s Summit tasting room. This isn’t just a local phenomenon; Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association, reports that for the first time in two decades, more breweries closed than opened across the U.S. in 2025, with overall beer sales also experiencing a slight decline.

What’s Behind the Dip?

Several factors appear to be contributing to this challenging market:

• Increased competition and market saturation.
• A growing “sober curious” movement and declining alcohol consumption, especially among younger demographics.
• A strong consumer demand for experiences over just products.

The Rise of Experiential Brewing and Beyond-Beer Options

To adapt, breweries are evolving, recognizing that customers are seeking more than just a pint. KC Bier Co. owner Steve Holle, who is expanding with a new, larger Lenexa location, emphasizes the shift towards “experiential opportunities.” His new beer garden will feature live music, outdoor games, and an expanded food menu, aiming to attract patrons with a comprehensive entertainment package.

Sherry Wohlgemuth of the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild confirms this trend, noting that successful taprooms increasingly offer events like trivia nights or paint-and-sip sessions. Mike McVey of Transport Brewery found that adding a pizza kitchen significantly boosted sales, underscoring that breweries offering food are becoming the norm. Even new entrants like the riverfront’s Two Birds, One Stone and Iowa’s Big Grove Brewery, planning a Prairie Village location, prioritize extensive food menus and appealing outdoor spaces.

Changing Palates: A Decline in Drinking and Rise of Alternatives

A recent August Gallup poll revealed a striking statistic: only 50% of young adults now drink, a significant drop from 59% just two years prior. This reflects a broader societal shift, with over half of all adults believing moderate drinking is unhealthy, compared to only a quarter 20 years ago.

In response, many breweries are diversifying their offerings. KC Bier Co. now sells a non-alcoholic “Hopwater,” while Boulevard Brewing Co. has introduced a THC-infused, zero-proof seltzer. Industry projections by Whitney Economics anticipate a substantial increase in THC beverage sales, from $1.1 billion last year to nearly $5.6 billion by 2035, indicating a growing market for “beyond beer” products.

Is the KC Market Saturated?

Keith Thompson, who has been in the brewery industry since 1994 and owns Brewery Emperial, recalls the explosion of Kansas City brewery openings in 2015-2016. He believes the market may have “exceeded its saturation point.” Gacioch from the Brewers Association echoes this, suggesting that “markets will always correct according to supply and demand,” implying that the current closures might simply be an evening-out of an overly crowded sector.

The following table highlights some of the key market shifts:

Frequently Asked Questions About KC’s Brewery Scene

• Why are some Kansas City breweries closing?
  Closures are attributed to a challenging overall beer market, declining beer sales, an increasing sober population, and a shift in consumer demand towards breweries that offer more “experiences.”
• What are local breweries doing to stay competitive?
  Many are expanding their offerings to include food menus, hosting events like trivia and live music, and creating larger, more engaging spaces with amenities like outdoor games or dog-friendly areas.
• Is the younger generation drinking less alcohol?
  Yes, according to a Gallup poll, only 50% of young adults drink, a noticeable decrease from previous years, and more adults overall perceive moderate drinking as unhealthy.
• What are “beyond beer” products?
  These are non-beer alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages offered by breweries, such as craft sodas, non-alcoholic beers, and even THC-infused seltzers, catering to evolving consumer preferences.
• Has the Kansas City brewery market reached its saturation point?
  Industry experts suggest that after a rapid boom in openings around 2015-2016, the market may indeed be undergoing a correction as supply and demand rebalance.

For Kansas City’s beloved craft beer culture to thrive, patrons are encouraged to actively support their favorite local breweries, engage with their events, and provide feedback on what they’d like to see, ensuring these institutions can continue to evolve and adapt for years to come.

KC Breweries Face Closures Amid Shifting Market