USA: AB InBev’s craft portfolio off to a hot start in 2025

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s craft portfolio is off to a hot start in 2025, continuing its trend of consistent year-over-year growth. To date in 2025, AB InBev’s craft share has grown +0.36 points following a year of positive growth in 2024, the company announced on May 19.

This growth is driven by consistent focus and investment in A-B's craft scale brands – six key fast-growing products in top styles including Goose Island Beer Hug IPA, Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Elysian Space Dust IPA, Goose Island IPA, Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA and Devils Backbone Smash cocktails.

A-B’s strategy has proven successful as its craft scale brands are growing at a much faster rate than the overall craft industry, specifically in high-performing formats like 19.2oz cans.

Some fast facts:

- A-B’s craft scale brands continue to gain momentum, up +11.8% in volume sales this year as a group;
- Goose Island Beer Hug IPA, Elysian Space Dust IPA and Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA are the fastest growing 19.2oz craft IPAs in the industry, gaining share at a much higher rate than next fastest-growing craft family;
- Golden Road Mango Cart is the #1 fastest-growing craft wheat brand;

Andy Thomas, President, The High End at Anheuser-Busch said, “As the craft industry continues to transform, we've been intentionally crafting our portfolio for the future. The success we’re seeing is the result of a simpler, more focused approach – we’re looking forward to building on this strong momentum.”

Anheuser-Busch's portfolio of craft brewery partners includes Goose Island Beer Co, Golden Road Brewing, Elysian Brewing, Wicked Weed Brewing, Karbach Brewing Co, Devils Backbone Brewing Co, Four Peaks Brewing Co, Cisco Brewers and La Rubia Beer.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .