—thanks to the growing popularity of small, independent craft brewers. —
Death by a thousand cuts?
Hope it happens to the music industry as well.
I think the decline of the big brewers is inevitable. They are still following the postwar model which led to light, flavorless beers (in part to appeal to women). Times have changed. People increasingly want real beer, or something resembling it. They drink less beer all together, I think, but when they do drink it, they want it to be worth drinking.