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When COVID hit in 2020, we expected a massive number of brewery closures, that didn’t happen. Sure some breweries did close during what would become almost two years of on and off lockdowns, but many of those were struggling even before the pandemic.
“2022 is going to be a make-or-break year for many breweries,” said Bart Watson, senior economist for craft beer’s largest not-for-profit the Brewers Association, while delivering the results of the association’s state-of-the-industry report.
And even though beer sales are recovering from the lows of 2020 and the public is returning to bars and taprooms, for many operations things aren’t normalizing fast enough. Many breweries are burdened by debts incurred over one of the most difficult economic periods the country has ever seen.
Now with rising interest rates, supply chain shortages and the worst inflation in nearly 40 years, craft brewery closure announcement seem to be escalating…
The good news is that in both of these brewery closures, another brewing operation will be taking over the space and hopefully their legacies…
Tower Brewing
Sacramento, California saw its first significant craft beer closure last weekend when Tower Brewing owner Jeff Howes took to Facebook to announce that it was shutting its doors for good.
“Howes took over ownership of the brewery, then called Sactown Union, three years ago and rebranded. He and his brewing team resurrected beers formerly made by Rubicon, the first craft brewery in Sacramento,” according to the Sacramento Bee. “The sudden closure is the first in Sacramento in years as the craft beer boom of the past decade brought dozens of new breweries to the area.”
This from Tower Brewing…
Dear Sacramento Beer Lovers
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. Sadly, Sunday, October 2nd will be the last day that Tower Brewing will be open to the public. I realize this may come as shock and it’s regrettable that the end must come so quick and as unexpectedly as it has.
Unfortunately, my personal health has declined to a point where I can no longer support the brewery physically, mentally, or financially. The last three years have been so challenging with the stress and tremendous financial strain caused by Covid and inflation but the health issues were the final straw.
However, there is a silver lining in all of this. Earlier this year Tower Brewing partnered with Highwater Brewing on two collaboration beers and through the growth of that ongoing relationship, we have reached an agreement for Highwater to take over our taproom and production location at 66th street.
Highwater will officially open on October 7th and will continue brewing some of your favorite recipes from Tower and bring their amazing selection of beers to the greater Sacramento region.
It has been a true honor and pleasure and I thank you all who have supported us these past seven years; especially all of you who have been directly involved in Tower either as team members or investors.
I have met so many wonderful people in the industry and made some lifelong friendships along the way. I know that I’m leaving the legacy of Tower in trustworthy and capable hands and so look forward to the future.
Sincerely,
Jeff Howes / Tower Brewing
Able Seedhouse + Brewery
After seven years brewing beer in Minneapolis, MN Able Seedhouse + Brewery took to Instagram to announce that it would be ending its run on October 1. In addition to brewing serious beer Able Brewery focused on locally grown seed, grain and malting.
This from Able Brewery…
The time has come to close the doors at Able Brewery. We can’t begin to tell you how much we’ve enjoyed all the interactions we’ve had with all of you. In 7 years the world and our business has changed so much. Many of you have grown with us, started families, moved here and away and changed a lot from the first day we poured our beer in November of 2015.
We’re sad to report that this will be our last week of service and Saturday (10/1) will be our final day. Huge thank you to all staff past and present that have made Able Brewery the special place it was.
The taproom will reopen shortly under the leadership of a new entity who is buying the production and taproom assets from Able Brewery. We’re excited that the legacy of our beautiful taproom will live on with new energy and a new team.
More news of that soon.
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