At the 2026 Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit in San Diego, industry expert Harry Schuhmacher opened the conference with a clear message. 2025 was one of the toughest years the beer industry has faced in nearly two decades. Total beer volume declined about 4 percent, pricing momentum slowed, and only a handful of brands posted real growth.

One brand stood out.

For the first time, Happy Dad entered Circana’s Top 25 beer brands across all off-premise channels. Even more impressive, Happy Dad gained both share and double-digit volume while adding nearly a quarter million incremental cases in 2025.

In a year when “very few brands grew share,” Happy Dad was highlighted as one of the rare winners.

According to Schuhmacher, the market rewarded brands that were easy to understand, easy to find, and easy to repeat. Choice overload pushed consumers toward trusted brands that deliver consistently. That shift worked directly in Happy Dad’s favor.

While much of the beer category struggled, Schuhmacher also called out the seltzer segment as far from finished.

“Who said seltzers are dead?” he said, noting that Anthony von Mandl and Happy Dad are helping keep the category alive even as RTDs continue to grow.

Happy Dad’s performance came during a year defined by affordability pressure, slowing consumption, and major headwinds across beer, wine, and spirits. With many suppliers losing volume and share, Happy Dad’s growth stands out as a signal that strong brands with clear positioning still win.

Schuhmacher previewed a conversation later in the Summit with founders John and Sam Shahidi to discuss the brand’s momentum and what drove the breakout year.

As the industry looks ahead to a packed summer in 2026 with the World Cup, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and America’s 250th anniversary, the message is clear. Even in a tough market, brands that deliver the moment and earn repeat loyalty can still grow.

Happy Dad is proof.