They don’t say his name, for obvious reasons, but the implication was clear that they were talking about President Trump. We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more…

10 US Craft Brewery Closures

The American craft beer world has long been a vibrant mix of  small breweries and taprooms, many with passionate followings. Lately, though, some of that vibrancy has started to fade.

For the first time in nearly two decades, more craft breweries are closing than opening—a shift that would have been almost unthinkable a decade ago. And 2025 has only intensified the trend, with closures continuing at pace as operators wrestle with inflation, tariff-driven input costs and evolving consumer habits that favor seltzers, spirits, or low-alcohol options.

Each closure represents more than just a business shuttering—it’s dreams and the community that supported them, coming to an end.

And here are 10 notable closures from the past year or so—some large, some small, but all reflecting the increasingly tough climate that craft brewers are facing today…

21st Amendment Brewery (San Francisco / San Leandro, CA) – One of the Bay Area’s best-known craft names, 21st Amendment announced it would wind down its San Francisco brewery and San Leandro brewpub after years of declining sales and distribution challenges.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (Mid-Atlantic chain) – A staple since the ’90s, Iron Hill closed all 16 of its brewpub locations in late 2025 amid financial strain. The once-beloved regional chain is now part of the growing list of craft brands that couldn’t beat rising expenses.

Brüeprint Brewing Company (North Carolina) – Brüeprint became one of the year’s early shock closures when it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April 2025 and began liquidating assets.

Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery (Farmville, NC) – After two decades of brewing in North Carolina, Duck Rabbit quietly shuttered in April 2025, a reminder that even long-running favorites aren’t immune to market shifts.

Cycle Brewing (St. Petersburg, FL) -This British-themed Florida taproom said goodbye in May 2025, closing its chapter after 12 years in business.

Dubious Claims Brewing Co. (Excelsior Springs, MO) – Another small but cherished brewery, Dubious Claims pulled its taps and doors in early 2025 after more than six years of quirky branding and local loyalty.

Thimble Island Brewing Co. (Branford, CT) – The Connecticut brewery closed its taproom in mid-2025 as industry pressures mounted and strategic plans fell through for the owners.

Stony Creek Brewery (Branford, CT) – Once a favorite stop for locals, Stony Creek closed its facility in August 2025; the space is being repurposed under new ownership, but the original brewery brand has faded.

Culmination Brewing (Portland, OR) – Culmination announced the closure of its Northeast Portland taproom early in 2025, marking another blow to Oregon’s once-booming craft scene.

Entropy Brewing Company (Miamisburg, OH) – Closed late in 2025 with no bankruptcy filing, Entropy Brewing quietly tapped its last keg at the end of December

Words to Drink By

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”  – Albert Einstein, German-born theoretical physicist who is best known for developing the theory of relativity

Progressive Brewery Floats Free Beer When “He” Dies

They don’t say his name, for obvious reasons, but the implication is clear, that they were talking about President Trump.

Here’s the deal…

A Wisconsin brewery stirred up a storm online after appearing online to float a tongue-in-cheek — and very eyebrow-raising — beer promotion tied to the eventual death of President Donald Trump.

In a Facebook post last week, Minocqua Brewing Company teased what it called a future free-beer day, writing, “Free beer, all day long, the day he dies. Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise.”

The self-described “progressive beer” outfit quickly followed with a logistical clarification, because of course there were logistics. “Update, we meant the Madison Taproom because that’s open all year. If he dies in the summer, then it’s gonna be the Minocqua Taproom,” the post added.

According to the New York Post, the brewery never mentioned President Trump by name, but clearly plenty of commenters connected the dots. The post racked up roughly 2,000 comments, with many readers assuming exactly who the brewery had in mind — and reacting accordingly depending on their political persuasion.

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