Dear Client:
The US craft spirits market saw its second consecutive year of sales and volume declines in 2024, according to the Craft Spirits Data Project (CSDP) report released yesterday. Last year, US craft spirits volumes fell 6.1% to about 12.7 million 9L cases and sales were down 3.3% to about $7.6 billion.
The CSDP report, first launched in 2016, is put together by Park Street in partnership with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA).
Recall, the CSDP defines “craft spirits” as distilled spirits produced in the US by licensed producers that have no more than 750,000 proof gallons (or 394,317 9L cases) removed from bond annually; market themselves as craft; no more than 50% of the DSP is owned by a large supplier; and have no proven violation of the ACSA Code of Ethics.
CRAFT STEADY IN WIDER SPIRITS LANDSCAPE. Despite the decline in sales and volumes, craft spirits’ share of the overall US spirits market held steady year-over-year. In 2024, craft spirits made up about 4.5% share of overall spirits volumes (compared to 4.6% share in 2023) and maintained 7.5% share of sales.
In fact, “the declines for craft spirits were less than the entire super-premium price tier altogether. So we do think there is still a loyalty and a demand for local and artisan products. It’s just a matter of consumers having access to them,” noted ACSA coo Emily Pennington.
Meanwhile, amidst wider tariff and trade tensions, US craft spirits exports were down 20.7% year-over-year, at 142,000 9L cases vs. about 179,000 cases in 2023.
DSP COUNT RESET. The Craft Spirits Data Project dug a little deeper into DSP numbers this year, determining which DSPs are actually producing spirits, as opposed to just maintaining their license, which dropped the overall count quite a bit year-over-year.
After removing DSPs that are inactive, as of August 2025, there were 2,282 active craft distillers in the US, down from 3,069 in August 2024. Note, the 2024 count relies on the old methodology.
“I know it’s tempting to say there was a decline from 2024 to 2025, but that’s not entirely accurate,” added Emily. “There … [was] an increase in closures, but realistically, we cannot identify the year when many of these distilleries closed. So it wasn’t a singular year, it was over a couple of years.”
However, “we do not believe that there were more closures this year than there were new craft distilleries established,” Emily continued, citing TTB reports that placed new DSP openings at around 550 for the year.
TOP CRAFT MARKETS HOLD TITLES. The top five states by number of active craft DSPs made up almost one-third of total craft distillers in the US through August 2025, at 32.8%. As in recent years, the top five held their spots, landing as follows:
- California (207 active craft DSPs)
- New York (159)
- Pennsylvania (149)
- Texas (126)
- Washington (108)
The rest of the top 10 did see some shifts, with Wisconsin making its debut on the list at No.6, followed by Colorado, Florida, Oregon and Kentucky. The latter half of the top 10 list collectively house another 401 DSPs, representing 17.6% of US craft distilleries.
Stay tuned for more from the CSDP, including results by distillery size and projections for future growth.
SOUTHEASTERN GROCERS CHARTS A NEW COURSE AS THE WINN-DIXIE COMPANY
Yesterday Southeastern Grocers announced sweeping changes, including plans to operate as The Winn-Dixie Company starting in early 2026, and refocusing its efforts on its home state of Florida and neighboring Georgia markets.
As a result of this new focus, “dozens” of remodels and new store projects are planned and underway, per release. Indeed, in Florida, the company has finalized an agreement to acquire Hitchcock’s Markets in Alachua, Keystone Heights and Williston. These stores will be converted to Winn-Dixie and opened in phases starting later this year.
They’re also expanding their liquor store portfolio with new formats, growing its Own Brand product assortment, and piloting third-party online grocery delivery and return kiosks.
Meanwhile, the company has also “reached agreements or is advancing plans with multiple grocers” to sell 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
After the above transactions are completed, The Winn-Dixie Company will operate about 130 conventional grocery stores and 140 freestanding and grocery-adjacent liquor stores in Florida and southern Georgia.
WSD BRIEFS:
COINTREAU DEBUTS HOLIDAY ITERATION OF MARGARIGHT CAMPAIGN. Cointreau’s MargaRight campaign is entering the holiday season with “Make Your Eggnog A Margarita,” the latest spot featuring actress Aubrey Plaza. “The margarita isn’t just a staple for summer, it is also the perfect choice for holiday toasts and winter celebrations,” says Remy Cointreau Americas chief Nicolas Beckers. “In the ‘Make Your Eggnog A Margarita’ campaign, we want to remind consumers that a margarita is a timeless, convenient crowd-pleaser to serve guests this holiday season and all year long.” The new ad spot debuted yesterday across digital, social and paid media.
SGWS NAMES NEW EVP, GM OF AK, ID AND WA MARKETS. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits announced this week the promotion of Amanda Doucett to evp, gm of Alaska, Idaho and Washington, effective November 1. Amanda joined SGWS in 2010, and most recently worked as svp, commercial operations of the East region. In her new role, she will be responsible for all business activities in the Pacific Northwest and report directly to president, West region Lewis Kenrick. “She has shown extraordinary growth since starting in merchandising and will now return to the Pacific Northwest in a pivotal leadership role – a testament to her career trajectory at Southern Glazer’s,” says Lewis. “The team and I are looking forward to collaborating with and supporting her in this new role as she takes on the next chapter of her career.”
LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO BOOST TOURISM. Yesterday the Lodi Winegrape Commission announced the launch of a new marketing campaign, called “No Reservations,” to highlight the region’s “genuine hospitality, accessibility, and exceptional wine quality,” per release. They developed the campaign in response to evolving consumer preferences as well as current economic pressures impacting wine tourism. “It’s time to remove the barriers and get back to what made California wine great – meticulous farming, craft winemaking, and a customer-first mentality,” says Lodi Winegrape Commission executive director Stuart Spencer. “We want wine tasting to be easy, welcoming, and focused on discovery.”
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE 2026 SUMMIT. The annual Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit is taking place January 18-20, 2026 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, CA. The link to book your hotel room is now live – the room block closes December 15. You can register and find more info here.
Until tomorrow,
Your editors
Sarah Barrett, Executive Editor
Hana Kruger, Editor
“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus
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