Craft Beer News: What’s Brewing as We Head Into 2026
As we raise a glass to the new year, the craft beer landscape continues its ever-shifting evolution. From exciting new openings to bittersweet closures, 2026 is already shaping up to be a year of significant change for our local beer community. Here’s what’s been happening in the world of hops and malt.
New Beginnings
Bullhide Brewing Opens in Pilesgrove, NJ
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Bullhide Brewing, the newest addition to South Jersey’s craft beer scene. Located in Pillsgrove, this fresh-faced brewery is already making waves with its lineup and welcoming atmosphere. It’s always exciting to see new breweries take the leap, and Bullhide is off to a promising start. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit to see what they’re crafting.
Located right near the cowtown rodeo, it’s an addition to existing building that is absolutely beautiful. Fitting in with the western theme of cowtown very well. On our visit we sampled two beers All day ranch hand (pale ale) and saddle back (pale ale) both were very good for a new brewery just starting up!
Carbon Copy Expands to Bella Vista
In more exciting news, Carbon Copy is gearing up to open their third Philadelphia location on January 9th, 2026. This new spot in the vibrant Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philly marks another milestone for the growing brewery. With two successful locations already under their belt, Carbon Copy’s expansion is a bright spot in what’s otherwise been a challenging time for many smaller operations.
Carbon copy’s two locations already are located in west Philadelphia and Port Richmond, Both are fantastic in their own right. West Philadelphia location has pizza that is worth a visit on its own right while The Port Richmond location is in collaboration with mom mom’s kitchen who has fantastic pierogis!
Intriguing Transitions
Big Changes Brewing at Work Horse
Something interesting appears to be happening at Work Horse Brewing’s large facility. While nothing has been officially confirmed, all signs point to Bald Bird Brewing taking over the space. Work Horse recently posted on Instagram: “Help us finish off the remaining Work Horse beer as we get ready for some exciting taproom changes ahead - big things are brewing.” A recent visit to the taproom revealed that most of the beers on tap are now from Bald Bird, suggesting the transition may already be underway. We’ll be watching this story closely as more details emerge.
Bald Bird already has two locations in Pennsylvania located in Audubon and Jersey Shore.
Difficult Goodbyes
Unfortunately, the new year also brings news of several closures, reflecting the ongoing challenges facing small, independent breweries.
Our Town Taproom Closes in West Philadelphia
Our Town Brewery announced via Instagram that their West Philadelphia taproom will be closing its doors. The silver lining? Their main location in Lancaster will continue operations, so fans can still get their Our Town fix at the original spot.
21 Locks Brewing Shuts Down After Just One Year
In particularly sad news, 21 Locks Brewing in Morrisville, PA, has announced their closing after only about a year in operation. The brewery shared on Instagram that too many challenges made it impossible to continue. It’s always heartbreaking to see a dream cut short, especially when it happens so quickly.
Fat Lady Brewing Says Farewell
Adding to the list of closures, Fat Lady Brewing in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood has announced they’ll be shutting their doors in the new year. This marks another loss for the city’s neighborhood taproom scene.
The State of Small Breweries
The closure of multiple small taprooms reflects a broader trend we’ve been witnessing across the craft beer industry. Rising costs, changing consumer habits, and increased competition continue to make it challenging for smaller operations to stay afloat. While expansions like Carbon Copy’s third location show that success is still possible, the reality is that the craft beer market has become increasingly difficult to navigate for many breweries.
As we move into 2026, we’ll continue to support our local breweries, celebrate new openings like Bullhide, and pour one out for those we’ve lost along the way. Here’s to hoping the year ahead brings more success stories than closures, and that our favorite breweries continue to craft the beers we love.
