Beer Battle Brews Between Craft-Beer Makers and Distributors

Brewers make push to sell directly to customers amid slowing sales growth

Small brewers are squaring off against distributors and bar owners in a fight for drinkers as craft beer’s once-explosive growth cools.

Craft-beer volumes grew just 1.6% last year, according to trade association the Beer Institute, the slowest growth in at least 10 years.

Growth is being driven entirely by direct sales from brewers to customers,...