More Popular Breweries Shut Down With No Notice

Craft breweries have been closing all across the United States.

You can blame the Covid pandemic, oversaturation, or some combination of the two, but the results have been bleak.

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"Craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer in 2024, a 3.9% decrease from 2023. Craft’s market share by volume dropped slightly to 13.3% as the overall U.S. beer market declined by 1.2% in volume," according to the Brewer's Association annual report.

The past year also showed another disturbing trend that has shaken the industry.

"In 2024, there were 9,796 operating U.S. craft breweries, including 2,029 microbreweries, 3,552 brewpubs, 3,936 taproom breweries, and 279 regional craft breweries. 2024 was the first year since 2005 that the number of breweries that closed outpaced brewery openings nationwide," it shared.

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Overall, however, the number of breweries in the U.S. increased to 9,922, up from 9,838 in 2023. Over the year, 430 new breweries opened while 529 closed. 

And while the closure rate has hovered around 5% for multiple years, the pace of brewery closures has picked up in 2025. Now, another group of breweries have shut their doors forever.

Image source: Shutterstock

One brewery closes for heartbreaking reason

Not every brewery closing has made the decision due to financial concerns. Milwaukee's 1840 Brewing has made the decision to close for an entirely different reason.

The brewery shared its simple mission on its website.  

"1840 Brewing Company is an urban farmhouse brewery located in the historic Milwaukee neighborhood of Bay View. We craft high-quality ales, lagers, sours, and stouts with a focus on barrel aging and blending," it shared.

The owners, Kyle and Stephanie Vetter, decided to close the doors of the taproom, then the brewery itself, because they had more important business to attend to. 

"With heavy hearts but unwavering hope, we share the news that our beloved Stephanie has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. Just a few weeks ago, Stephanie and her family’s world was turned upside down by this life-altering diagnosis," the family shared on a GoFundMe page. 

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Kyle Vetter shared that he was only able to keep the taproom open because of its staff. 

“Our team has been phenomenal. They’ve stepped up in so many ways and helped take the pressure off. They’re the only reason we were able to get to this point. We’ve only got one fight in us, and that’s the fight at home,” the family told Milwaukee Magazine.

More breweries, taprooms closed in June

Kansas City's Pathlight Brewing also closed in June.

"It’s with heavy hearts we announce the closing of Pathlight Brewing. This decision wasn’t made lightly, and we are overwhelmed with a mix of gratitude, pride, and loss as we reflect on the past five years," the company shared on its website.

The company saluted its history as it shut its doors.

"Pathlight’s mission was about more than just brewing exceptional beer — it was about creating an inclusive space where this craft could spark community connection. New friendships were forged as patrons and staff bonded over everything from barleywine to Formula 1. This was the vision, and Pathlight nailed it," it added.

Some closing breweries have at least had a silver lining.

Hi-Wire Brewing closed its Norwood, Ohio, location, but a new operator took it over immediately. Braxton Brewing Company will take over its taproom.

Hi-Wire shared the news in a press release:

"We had to think about how to ensure the health of the business, and that meant making some hard choices. We share a lot of the same core values with our friends at Braxton, and while this was a difficult decision that we did not take lightly, this new partnership has really been a silver lining. We believe that they will handle this transition in a way that feels right for our business, community, and employees," the brewery shared.

Another regional brewery, albeit one outside the U.S., has closed, but its taprooms will actually continue operating. England's Brighton Bier has shut down its brewing operations.

"We are sad to announce that Brighton Bier has ceased trading. This does not affect Brighton Bierhaus, Haus on the Hill, The Drop, or West Tap. ​These are all separate businesses and will continue to trade as normal," the company shared on its website.

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