Ireland’s craft beer sector is under mounting strain as rising input costs, outdated licensing laws, and new water tariffs squeeze margins. Recent closures — including Killarney Brewing and Distilling (50 job losses) and Black Donkey Brewery — highlight the growing fragility of the industry.

Brewers cite “astronomical” input inflation, supply chain disruption, Covid aftershocks, and US tariffs as key pressures. New 9.8% water charge hikes, set for October, are being described as “unsustainable,” with industry leaders warning more closures are imminent.

Industry voices — including the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI), Carlow Brewing’s Seamus O’Hara, and Rye River Brewing’s Tom Cronin — stress that rising utility costs, especially water, threaten the viability of an already struggling sector where beer is “90% water.”

With pubs also closing at an accelerating pace, brewers are urging government to ease legislative and cost burdens to protect jobs, competitiveness, and local production.

Read the full article for a deep dive into the pressures reshaping Ireland’s independent brewing landscape.