The death of beer bars

[dmclone]

We've been lucky to keep places like El Bait and the Iowa Taproom, but the struggle is real.

In 2016, I went to San Diego and visited some of the best beer bars in the country. places like Toronado, Bottlecraft, Tiger Tiger. In 2020 I went back and they were all gone.

Why Craft Beer Needs a New Generation of Beer Bars

Brewery tap rooms have impacted American beer bars. Will beer bars survive and have tap rooms been good for craft beer?

allaboutbeer.com

 

[NickTheGreat]

Craft Beer is suffering in general. Makes me sad. I knew we had it good 10 years ago, but I didn't expect the end to come so soon.

 

[Cyientist]

Younger generation doesn’t drink as much, and those of us that came to age along with the craft beer scene can’t manage the extra carbs and calories in our 40’s.

 

[Drew0311]

They need to make Beer bars more like Ashville, NC. They are all smaller, "Dive" type bars. I feel like most Beer bars are these big bars that make me feel like i am in a chain bar.

 

[4theCYcle]

I don't drink as often as I used to, but when I do I usually go for craft style over regular water beers. I definitely enjoy sours in summer and fall/winter porters/stouts. But it is crazy how younger generations are opting out of drinking like we had back then. Everyone chooses their own path, but if businesses don't adapt, then they'll keep getting squeezed. We are fortunate with the Dsm market. I feel there are good options of beer bars and tap rooms. I'm sure overtime though some won't last, since it's a difficult industry to strive in.

 

[Al_4_State]

Younger generation doesn’t drink as much, and those of us that came to age along with the craft beer scene can’t manage the extra carbs and calories in our 40’s.

Yup. I love craft beer, but I drink way less of it at 40 than I did at 30. Like you said, just too much calorically.

And on top of younger generations drinking less (and just going out into society less), the ones who do drink don't seem remotely interested in interesting flavors or the art of making stuff. I think we're going to start changes in restaurants based on Gen Z preferences just like we have with alcohol. Atmosphere and the idea of going out will become less important, and places will shift to a more delivery based model.

I think as long as Gen Xers and Elder Millenials are alive, there will be some demand for craft alcohol, but it's going to permanently be lower than it was a decade ago, and more places will fall out before that carrying point is reached.

It will be interesting to see if the shut-in/teetotalling Gen Z outlook becomes a permanent part of the human condition, or a quirk of the individuals who came up in that period of time.

 

[Frak]

The seltzers have really eaten into the market for the younger crowd. And women.

 

[Pope]

Beer is definitely an acquired taste, one that I've never really acquired. Drank it in my younger years in social settings, but I never touch the stuff anymore.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Yeah, I hardly drink anymore. Hangovers are so much worse, it's expensive, and the market is saturated anyway.

Also I can get weed a lot more easily now.

 

[cydnote]

Jamie saw the writing on the wall. (maybe)

 

[OscarBerkshire]

ehhh its just in a downturn its not going away. Craft beer has entered the culture

 

[madguy30]

Yup. I love craft beer, but I drink way less of it at 40 than I did at 30. Like you said, just too much calorically.

And on top of younger generations drinking less (and just going out into society less), the ones who do drink don't seem remotely interested in interesting flavors or the art of making stuff. I think we're going to start changes in restaurants based on Gen Z preferences just like we have with alcohol. Atmosphere and the idea of going out will become less important, and places will shift to a more delivery based model.

I think as long as Gen Xers and Elder Millenials are alive, there will be some demand for craft alcohol, but it's going to permanently be lower than it was a decade ago, and more places will fall out before that carrying point is reached.

It will be interesting to see if the shut-in/teetotalling Gen Z outlook becomes a permanent part of the human condition, or a quirk of the individuals who came up in that period of time.

I have a friend who works with UW students and he's found that it's not as much as shut in deal as much as it is they're more in tune to focus on proactive healthy things to sort through life vs what I knew which was to rage drink haha.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

Craft light beers are popular than ever though. Lot of craft breweries known for ipas are making light lagers. Just interesting how tastes change. I'll always love IPAs but sometimes something lighter is required.

I think with COVID and inflation it's just gotten a lot harder for the smaller breweries to stay afloat. Which sucks.

 

[Cycsk]

One of the reasons I like El Bait Shop so much is that I can do flights. Rarely do I really want 16 or 24 ounces of a single beer.

 

[KnappShack]

I have a friend who works with UW students and he's found that it's not as much as shut in deal as much as it is they're more in tune to focus on proactive healthy things to sort through life vs what I knew which was to rage drink haha.

Is UW Wisconsin?

I mean if beer and booze is losing in Wisconsin there's no hope

 

[wenkeej]

For those that like data, here's all they data you could want on beer in the US. Data backs up that beer is trending down.

https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/national-beer-stats/

 

[Al_4_State]

ehhh its just in a downturn its not going away. Craft beer has entered the culture

It’s not going away, but there will be a lot less of it.

Unless Gen Alpha gets into it in a decade

 

[Cyientist]

One of the reasons I like El Bait Shop so much is that I can do flights. Rarely do I really want 16 or 24 ounces of a single beer.

Interesting, I’m the opposite. I absolutely hate 4 oz tasting glasses and usually just go all in instead of sampling.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

With THC being legalized in more states the shift to California sober is happening a lot more and people are starting to dial back consumption.

Beer also in my area seems to be losing ground to more craft cocktail places and distilleries. Things that make unique experiences instead of just another beer.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I wonder if ubiquitous pocket computers and social media have an influence on the younger generations. One bad night could really set a guy back.