Rumor Mill: Iron Hill Brewery Files for Bankruptcy / Airport Beer Prices Soar

American Craft Beer|October 10th, 2025|

A nighttime exterior view of an Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant location with its red neon sign illuminated, featuring large windows revealing the interior, and landscaping in the foreground

(Courtesy Iron Hill Brewery)

Iron Hill Brewery, once a staple of the Mid-Atlantic craft beer scene, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, marking a dramatic end for the regional brewpub chain that helped define upscale artisan brewing in the 1990s and 2000s. We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more…

Iron Hill Brewery Files for Bankruptcy

According to filings made this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Delaware-based company listed millions in liabilities and limited remaining assets, signaling a full liquidation rather than a reorganization. Chapter 7 typically means the business will cease operations as assets are sold to repay creditors.

Founded in 1996 in Newark, Delaware, Iron Hill grew into one of the East Coast’s most recognized brewpub groups, known for its scratch kitchens, family-friendly atmosphere, and award-winning craft beers like Philly Special IPA and Pig Iron Porter. Over nearly three decades, the company expanded to more than 20 locations across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Carolinas.

But in recent years, Iron Hill struggled with rising labor and ingredient costs, post-pandemic foot traffic declines, and increasing competition from smaller, hyperlocal breweries. On September 25, the company abruptly shuttered its 16 remaining locations, citing “unsustainable market conditions.”

At the time, Iron Hill executives described the closures as a “necessary restructuring” to stabilize operations. However, court documents now reveal that the company was unable to secure additional financing or buyers for its remaining assets.

The company has yet to issue a formal statement on the bankruptcy filing.

Iron Hill’s closure marks the end of an era for many Mid-Atlantic beer fans. The chain helped pave the way for modern craft brewpubs that combined restaurant-quality dining with small-batch brewing—long before it became a national trend.

While a few remaining properties may be acquired by other restaurant groups, it appears that the Iron Hill name—once synonymous with approachable craft beer and comfort food—will soon disappear from the American brewing landscape.

Words to Drink By

“Music is cottage industry, just like porn. It comes down to the individual, how well they sell their assets.” – Bob Lefsetz, music and media writer

Airport Beer Prices Soar

Grabbing an airport beer while you’re waiting for your flight is an America tradition. But given today’s economy, some of those beers are more affordable than others.

The latest report by FinanceBuzz found that beer prices can vary as much as $8 at airports across the country. At 13.83 a beer LaGuardia airport in New York needs to be avoided like the plague.

But major airports in San Francisco, Dallas, and Chicago, are among the most expensive places for even the most basic beers.

The top 10 US airports for the most expensive average beer price are: