Hill Farmstead Shuts Down for 2 Months
Popular Vermont craft brewery Hill Farmstead is going into hibernation in mid-January and will halt production and cease retail sales until late March.
In a social media post on January 1, the decade-old Greensboro Bend craft brewery said its final week of curbside sales would run from January 13-15, with sales to resume by mid-April.
“This presents a rather rare and appreciable opportunity for the future of our team,” the company explained. “First, it offers a much-needed restorative period for each member of our staff. Secondly, this window provides a rare, concentrated occasion for professional and personal development throughout the organization — a sabbatical, of sorts.”
Hill Farmstead added that barring any “unforeseen circumstances” the company plans to host a belated anniversary celebration in August 2021.
“Suffice to say, curbside will reopen when we return with an exceptional variety of beers, each currently resting contentedly,” the company added. “We look forward to sharing our place with you once again — beneath the singular sun, atop the leaves of grass, imaginatively connected — rejuvenated and inspired, reinvigorated and energized.”
BrewDog Temporarily Shutters 4 US Bars
Scottish craft beer makers BrewDog have temporarily shuttered several of its U.S. outposts.
The company has temporarily closed its locations in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus and Cincinnati in early January after closing its Pittsburgh and Indianapolis locations in mid-December, Columbus Business First reported. The company cited a slowdown of its bar business and the “emotional and mental toll” on its staff caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for the closure.
Those locations are expected to reopen when conditions improve.
BrewDog’s bars in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus and its Canal Winchester DogTap restaurant, along with its hotel are still open.
Prior to the temporary closures, BrewDog founder and CEO James Watt teased a potential location in Cleveland and a spokesperson told Crain’s Cleveland Business that the company was scouting locations.
Roak Brewing’s Royal Oak Locations Closes
Michigan’s Roak Brewing has permanently closed its Royal Oak taproom and production brewery after five years and will transfer production to Dark Horse Brewing Co.’s facility in Marshall, according to Detroit Metro Times.
Roak and Dark Horse merged to become the Michigan Brewers Union in February 2020.
Roak’s 30-barrel microbrewery, bottling line, brite tanks and other equipment in “immaculate condition” will be available for auction on BidSpotter.com starting February 10, with an end date of February 17.
Prairie Artisan Ales Closes Tulsa Pub
Prairie Artisan Ales has “in all likelihood, permanently closed” its Tulsa pub, according to a January 7 Facebook post.
“Despite government assistance, considerable attempts to rejuvenate our branding and products, and the relentless efforts of our amazing staff, the loss of sales during the pandemic has ultimately made it impossible to operate,” the company said. “If you’ve ever eaten at Prairie Tulsa, or stopped by for a beer — thank you. Tulsa means a lot to all of us at the brewery, and we are optimistic about a future that hopefully includes a taproom in Tulsa to gather once again and enjoy big, bold beers.”
Lagunitas’ Chicago Taproom Likely Shuttered Until 2022
Heineken-owned Lagunitas Brewing isn’t likely to open its Chicago taproom until at least 2022 due to the pandemic, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The outpost has been closed since March.
Three Floyds Permanently Closes Munster Brewpub
Indiana’s Three Floyds informed investors in early December that it would permanently close its Munster brewpub, NWI.com reported.
“As many of you know, this pandemic has not been kind to the restaurant industry, and we are no exception,” Nick Floyd wrote in the letter. “As of December 1, 2020, we have decided to permanently close 3 Floyds Brewpub. This decision was not easy for us, but at the end of the day, the safety of our customers and staff will always be our top priority.”
The 24-year-old craft beer maker closed the Munster brewpub at the outset of the pandemic and made that closure indefinite in mid-May due to safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Three Floyds — the 31st largest by volume in 2019, according to trade group the Brewers Association — will instead focus on distributed beer.
Miscreation Brewing to Close Permanently
Hanover, Pennsylvania-based Miscreation Brewing Company is closing for good after nearly six years in business, the company’s ownership team announced on Facebook.
“It is with great sadness that after almost 6 years, Miscreation Brewing Company will be closing its doors,” the company wrote. “Due to the financial burdens that COVID-19 has inflicted into our business, we must make this very difficult decision.”
Miscreation is inviting members of its mug club to pick up their mugs and have a final beer from 5-8 p.m. ET Friday, January 15, and noon-3 p.m. ET Saturday, January 16.