Black Beer Market Insights 2026, Analysis and Forecast to 2031

By: HDIN Research Published: 2026-01-30 Pages: 125
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Black Beer Market Summary

The black beer market—encompassing robust styles like stouts, porters, and dark lagers—has transitioned from a traditional niche into a premium powerhouse within the global beverage industry. Driven by the "craft-and-quality" movement, consumers are increasingly gravitating toward the complex flavor profiles of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate over standard light lagers. This category is also benefiting from a "health-conscious indulgence" trend, as dark beers are frequently marketed for their higher antioxidant and iron content. The global black beer market is estimated to reach a valuation of approximately USD 25.0–50.0 billion in 2026, with compound annual growth rates (CAGR) projected in the range of 1.5%–6.1% through 2031. Strategic consolidation has accelerated this growth, as global brewing giants acquire established craft brands to secure authentic flavor credentials and premium market share.

Application and Distribution Channel Analysis
Off-Trade (Retail & E-Commerce) The off-trade segment remains the primary volume driver, capturing approximately 58%–62% of market share. This growth is fueled by the expansion of "premium retail" aisles and the surge in on-demand alcohol delivery services. To bridge the gap with the pub experience, manufacturers are increasingly using nitrogen-widget technology in cans and bottles to replicate the creamy "draught" mouthfeel for at-home consumption.

On-Trade (Bars, Pubs & Restaurants) Growing at a steady rate of 5.0%–7.5%, the on-trade segment is becoming a hub for experiential consumption. Black beer is increasingly integrated into "gastropub" food-pairing menus and utilized in cocktail experimentation (e.g., espresso stout martinis). The rise of "Nitro-dispense" systems in bars has further enhanced the aesthetic and sensory appeal of dark ales and stouts for urban consumers.

Product Type Analysis and Trends
Stout Stouts represent the largest and fastest-growing segment. Innovation here is centered on "pastry stouts" (infused with vanilla, cocoa, or fruit) and the rapid expansion of non-alcoholic stout variants that retain a full-bodied texture.

Dark Lager (Schwarzbier & Dunkel) Highly popular in Europe and Asia, dark lagers provide a "gateway" for consumers who desire a darker color and roasted aroma but prefer the crisp, lighter finish of a lager. This segment is growing significantly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Brown Porter Porters are seeing a resurgence through microbrewery collaborations with coffee roasters. "Cold-brew porters" and barrel-aged variants are commanding high price points in the premium craft sector.

Dark Ale Dark ales are increasingly focused on seasonal releases, with high demand for "winter warmers" and black IPAs that combine roasted malt depth with citrus-forward hopping.

Key Market Players and Strategic Consolidation
The competitive landscape is defined by "Big Beer" organizations absorbing regional craft legends to scale their "world-class" black beer portfolios.

Lion Little World Beverages (Kirin): Following its 2019 acquisition of New Belgium and the 2021 acquisition of Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery, Lion has created a formidable U.S. craft platform. By uniting New Belgium’s scale with Bell’s iconic "Expedition Stout" and "Blackbeard" credentials, Lion has become a dominant force in the high-growth dark beer category.

Mahou San Miguel: In March 2025, the Spanish brewer completed its 100% takeover of Founders Brewing Co. (having owned a majority stake since 2020). This move secures full control over one of the world’s most respected dark beer portfolios, including the "KBS" (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) series, positioning Mahou as a leader in the global barrel-aged stout market.

Guinness (Diageo): As the category benchmark, Guinness continues to drive market normalization. Its focus remains on technological innovation (e.g., the Guinness MicroSdraught) and expanding its "0.0" non-alcoholic line to capture health-oriented demographics.

AB InBev & Molson Coors: These giants are utilizing a "barbell strategy"—maintaining massive volume through legacy dark brands while selectively acquiring (or divesting) craft units like Deschutes or Sierra Nevada's competitors to optimize their premium-to-value mix.

Regional Market Distribution
Europe: The historical heart of the market (~40% share), led by the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Growth is sustained by deep-rooted "pub culture" and a mature appreciation for traditional stouts and schwarzbiers.

Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region, driven by rapid urbanization in China and India. Dark beer is viewed as a "luxury" import, with high demand for premium Japanese black lagers (Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo).

North America: A innovation hub for the craft sector. Despite the maturity of the market, the segment continues to grow through limited-edition, "small-batch" releases and the expansion of craft portfolios under major conglomerates like Lion and Mahou San Miguel.

Market Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities: The rise of "Functional Black Beer"—formulations with added electrolytes or those that are naturally gluten-free—offers a path into the wellness-focused consumer base. Additionally, AI-optimized fermentation is allowing smaller brewers to maintain the extreme consistency required for complex, high-gravity stouts.

Challenges: Volatility in the price of specialty roasted malts (which require more energy to kilning) and the increasing consumer shift toward Low-ABV/No-Alcohol products present a dual challenge for traditional, high-strength dark beer producers.
Chapter 1 Report Overview 1

1.1 Study Scope 1

1.2 Research Methodology 2

1.2.1 Data Sources 3

1.2.2 Assumptions 4

1.3 Abbreviations and Acronyms 5

Chapter 2 Global Black Beer Market Executive Summary 7

2.1 Market Definition and Product Overview 7

2.2 Global Market Size and Growth Rate (2021-2031) 9

2.3 Market Segmentation by Type and Application 11

Chapter 3 Industry Chain and Value Chain Analysis 13

3.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis (Malt, Hops, Yeast, Water) 13

3.2 Brewing Process and Production Cost Structure 15

3.3 Value Chain Analysis and Profit Margins 17

3.4 Impact of Logistics and Cold Chain Management 19

Chapter 4 Global Black Beer Market by Type 21

4.1 Global Revenue and Market Share by Type (2021-2026) 21

4.2 Dark Lager 23

4.3 Dark Ale 25

4.4 Brown Porter 27

4.5 Stout 29

Chapter 5 Global Black Beer Market by Distribution Channel 31

5.1 Global Revenue and Market Share by Channel (2021-2026) 31

5.2 Off-Trade (Supermarkets, Liquor Stores, E-commerce) 33

5.3 On-Trade (Bars, Restaurants, Hotels) 35

Chapter 6 Global Black Beer Market by Region 37

6.1 North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) 37

6.2 Europe (Germany, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Nordics) 40

6.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan (China), SE Asia) 44

6.4 LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, UAE) 48

Chapter 7 Manufacturing Technology and Patent Analysis 51

7.1 Roasting Techniques for Dark Malts 51

7.2 Fermentation Innovations in Dark Beer 53

7.3 Patent Landscape and Key Technology Owners 55

Chapter 8 Competitive Landscape Analysis 57

8.1 Global Top Players Revenue Ranking (2021-2026) 57

8.2 Market Concentration Ratio 59

8.3 Strategic Moves: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Portfolio Expansion 61

Chapter 9 Key Market Players Analysis 63

9.1 Guinness 63

9.1.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 63

9.1.2 SWOT Analysis 64

9.1.3 Guinness Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 65

9.2 Heineken N.V. 67

9.2.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 67

9.2.2 SWOT Analysis 68

9.2.3 Heineken Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 69

9.3 Carlsberg Group 71

9.3.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 71

9.3.2 SWOT Analysis 72

9.3.3 Carlsberg Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 73

9.4 Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. 75

9.4.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 75

9.4.2 SWOT Analysis 76

9.4.3 Asahi Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 77

9.5 Kirin Holdings Company Limited 79

9.5.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 79

9.5.2 SWOT Analysis 80

9.5.3 Kirin Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 81

9.6 Molson Coors Beverage Company 83

9.6.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 83

9.6.2 SWOT Analysis 84

9.6.3 Molson Coors Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 85

9.7 Sapporo Breweries Ltd. 87

9.7.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 87

9.7.2 SWOT Analysis 88

9.7.3 Sapporo Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 89

9.8 Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV 91

9.8.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 91

9.8.2 SWOT Analysis 92

9.8.3 AB InBev Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 93

9.9 Boston Beer Company 95

9.9.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 95

9.9.2 SWOT Analysis 96

9.9.3 Boston Beer Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 97

9.10 Deschutes Brewery 99

9.10.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 99

9.10.2 SWOT Analysis 100

9.10.3 Deschutes Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 101

9.11 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. 103

9.11.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 103

9.11.2 SWOT Analysis 104

9.11.3 Sierra Nevada Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 105

9.12 Lion Little World Beverages 107

9.12.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 107

9.12.2 SWOT Analysis 108

9.12.3 Lion Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 109

9.13 Founders Brewing Co. 111

9.13.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 111

9.13.2 SWOT Analysis 112

9.13.3 Founders Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 113

9.14 Great Lakes Brewing Co. 115

9.14.1 Company Introduction and Business Overview 115

9.14.2 SWOT Analysis 116

9.14.3 Great Lakes Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 117

Chapter 10 Global Black Beer Market Forecast (2027-2031) 119

10.1 Revenue Forecast by Region 119

10.2 Revenue Forecast by Type and Distribution Channel 121

Chapter 11 Market Dynamics and Strategic Recommendations 123
Table 1. Global Black Beer Revenue by Type (2021-2026) 21

Table 2. Global Black Beer Revenue by Distribution Channel (2021-2026) 31

Table 3. North America Black Beer Revenue by Country (2021-2026) 39

Table 4. Europe Black Beer Revenue by Country (2021-2026) 42

Table 5. Asia-Pacific Black Beer Revenue by Country (2021-2026) 46

Table 6. Guinness Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 65

Table 7. Heineken Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 69

Table 8. Carlsberg Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 73

Table 9. Asahi Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 77

Table 10. Kirin Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 81

Table 11. Molson Coors Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 85

Table 12. Sapporo Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 89

Table 13. AB InBev Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 93

Table 14. Boston Beer Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 97

Table 15. Deschutes Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 101

Table 16. Sierra Nevada Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 105

Table 17. Lion Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 109

Table 18. Founders Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 113

Table 19. Great Lakes Black Beer Revenue, Cost and Gross Profit Margin (2021-2026) 117

Table 20. Global Black Beer Revenue Forecast by Region (2027-2031) 120

Figure 1. Global Black Beer Market Size Growth Rate (2021-2031) 9

Figure 2. Global Black Beer Market Share by Type in 2026 22

Figure 3. Global Black Beer Market Share by Distribution Channel in 2026 32

Figure 4. North America Black Beer Market Revenue (2021-2026) 38

Figure 5. Europe Black Beer Market Revenue (2021-2026) 41

Figure 6. Asia-Pacific Black Beer Market Revenue (2021-2026) 45

Figure 7. Global Top 5 Black Beer Players Market Share in 2026 58

Figure 8. Guinness Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 65

Figure 9. Heineken Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 69

Figure 10. Carlsberg Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 73

Figure 11. Asahi Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 77

Figure 12. Kirin Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 81

Figure 13. Molson Coors Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 85

Figure 14. Sapporo Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 89

Figure 15. AB InBev Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 93

Figure 16. Boston Beer Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 97

Figure 17. Deschutes Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 101

Figure 18. Sierra Nevada Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 105

Figure 19. Lion Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 109

Figure 20. Founders Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 113

Figure 21. Great Lakes Black Beer Market Share (2021-2026) 117

Research Methodology

  • Market Estimated Methodology:

    Bottom-up & top-down approach, supply & demand approach are the most important method which is used by HDIN Research to estimate the market size.

1)Top-down & Bottom-up Approach

Top-down approach uses a general market size figure and determines the percentage that the objective market represents.

Bottom-up approach size the objective market by collecting the sub-segment information.

2)Supply & Demand Approach

Supply approach is based on assessments of the size of each competitor supplying the objective market.

Demand approach combine end-user data within a market to estimate the objective market size. It is sometimes referred to as bottom-up approach.

  • Forecasting Methodology
  • Numerous factors impacting the market trend are considered for forecast model:
  • New technology and application in the future;
  • New project planned/under contraction;
  • Global and regional underlying economic growth;
  • Threatens of substitute products;
  • Industry expert opinion;
  • Policy and Society implication.
  • Analysis Tools

1)PEST Analysis

PEST Analysis is a simple and widely used tool that helps our client analyze the Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Technological changes in their business environment.

  • Benefits of a PEST analysis:
  • It helps you to spot business opportunities, and it gives you advanced warning of significant threats.
  • It reveals the direction of change within your business environment. This helps you shape what you’re doing, so that you work with change, rather than against it.
  • It helps you avoid starting projects that are likely to fail, for reasons beyond your control.
  • It can help you break free of unconscious assumptions when you enter a new country, region, or market; because it helps you develop an objective view of this new environment.

2)Porter’s Five Force Model Analysis

The Porter’s Five Force Model is a tool that can be used to analyze the opportunities and overall competitive advantage. The five forces that can assist in determining the competitive intensity and potential attractiveness within a specific area.

  • Threat of New Entrants: Profitable industries that yield high returns will attract new firms.
  • Threat of Substitutes: A substitute product uses a different technology to try to solve the same economic need.
  • Bargaining Power of Customers: the ability of customers to put the firm under pressure, which also affects the customer's sensitivity to price changes.
  • Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Suppliers of raw materials, components, labor, and services (such as expertise) to the firm can be a source of power over the firm when there are few substitutes.
  • Competitive Rivalry: For most industries the intensity of competitive rivalry is the major determinant of the competitiveness of the industry.

3)Value Chain Analysis

Value chain analysis is a tool to identify activities, within and around the firm and relating these activities to an assessment of competitive strength. Value chain can be analyzed by primary activities and supportive activities. Primary activities include: inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing & sales, service. Support activities include: technology development, human resource management, management, finance, legal, planning.

4)SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis is a tool used to evaluate a company's competitive position by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The strengths and weakness is the inner factor; the opportunities and threats are the external factor. By analyzing the inner and external factors, the analysis can provide the detail information of the position of a player and the characteristics of the industry.

  • Strengths describe what the player excels at and separates it from the competition
  • Weaknesses stop the player from performing at its optimum level.
  • Opportunities refer to favorable external factors that the player can use to give it a competitive advantage.
  • Threats refer to factors that have the potential to harm the player.
  • Data Sources
Primary Sources Secondary Sources
Face to face/Phone Interviews with market participants, such as:
Manufactures;
Distributors;
End-users;
Experts.
Online Survey
Government/International Organization Data:
Annual Report/Presentation/Fact Book
Internet Source Information
Industry Association Data
Free/Purchased Database
Market Research Report
Book/Journal/News

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