Published 4 days ago • loading... • Updated 4 days ago

Bankruptcies hit US spirit makers as Americans drink and spend less

A.M. Scott Distillery filed for Chapter 11 on Dec. 22, joining several U.S. distilleries that declared bankruptcy this year, including Luca Mariano Distillery, Devils River Distillery, JJ Pfister Distilling Co., House Spirits Distillery, Boston Harbor Distillery and Lee Spirits Co.
Amid the past year’s shifts, domestic drinking fell to 2.8 drinks weekly among 54% of U.S. adults, while DISCUS reported a 9% export decline and an 85% plunge to below $10 million to Canada.
NIQ data show beer sales fell 3.1% in the first half of 2025, while Brewers Association records 268 openings and 434 closings among 9,778 small and independent breweries.
Jim Beam will pause operations at its Clermont, Kentucky distillery beginning in January 2026, with company officials saying, `We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026.`
Amid wider change, brewery closings outpaced openings for a second year, non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits rose 27% to $829.2 million, and Kevin O'Leary called trade fallout `This is a self-inflicted mess`.

Insights by Ground AI