Favorite beer brand and brewery closes down, no bankruptcy

The craft beer apocalypse, which has forced 100s of breweries to close down or file for bankruptcy over the last three years, has continued into 2026 with no end in sight. Breweries say they are facing fierce competition, higher labor and product costs, and consumers' changing attitudes toward ...

Feb 1, 2026 - 12:00

The craft beer apocalypse, which has forced 100s of breweries to close down or file for bankruptcy over the last three years, has continued into 2026 with no end in sight.

Breweries say they are facing fierce competition, higher labor and product costs, and consumers' changing attitudes toward drinking alcoholic beverages, which is cutting into profits.

Over 250 breweries in the U.S. closed down in the first six months of 2025, and more closings followed in the second half of the year.

Brewery closures outpaced openings

Brewery closures outpaced openings with 434 shutting down and 268 opening by mid-December 2025, Brewbound reported on social media.

Bankruptcies and closings have already begun in 2026, as Springfield, Mo.-based brewery 4 by 4 Brewing filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 15 to restructure its debts and continue operating.

The 4 by 4 bankruptcy followed the closing of the fledgling craft brewery and beer brand 21 Locks Brewing Company, which shut down its taproom, restaurant, and facilities in early January, as it faced financial difficulties that it could not overcome.

21 Locks Brewing Company closed down its brewery, taproom, restaurant, and coffee shop.
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21 Locks Brewing closes its brewery facilities

The Morrisville, Pa.-based brewery, taproom, coffee shop, and restaurant establishment posted a message on its website and on social media on Dec. 31, 2025, stating that it was closing down its business.

"Closed Indefinitely," the brewery's message to its customers stated. "This is not the message we thought we'd be sending. After much thought, we're sharing that 21 Locks Brewing Company will be closing its doors."

"In the end, there were challenges we couldn't overcome, despite meeting them with energy and intent.

"That said, in the short time we had, this place became something very meaningful to us. Built around a simple idea of coffee, pizza, beer, 21 Locks was created to be a welcoming space for our community to gather, connect, and celebrate," the message continued.

"We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us this year: our guests, regulars, staff, musicians, vendors, neighbors, and friends. Your encouragement, conversations, and presence made every long day worth it.

"Though our time was brief, the memories and relationships will stay with us always. Thank you for being a part of our story," the message concluded.

Brewery launched in May 2025

21 Locks Brewing Co. launched its business with a ribbon-cutting event on May 30, 2025, to kick off Morrisville's Canal Fest Weekend, Bucks County News Network reported.

21 Locks' final event was its Comedy Night on Jan. 9, 2026, which featured five comedians: Dan Callahan, Connor Lutz, Bob Marsdale, Bill Chiang, and Ryan Foster. Before that event, 21 Locks presented Country Line Dancing with Ashley Rose on Jan. 2.

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The brewery's name paid tribute to the 21 locks along the historic Delaware Canal that runs past the brewery, according to its website. The canal was integral to moving coal from the Allegheny mines out to the ports from which it was shipped domestically and internationally.

21 Locks' website no longer lists the beers that it brewed, but the brewer's listing on Untappd.com shows 24 different beers on its menu.

Brewery closed its restaurant and coffee shop

The brewery's kitchen offered a menu with a variety of smashburgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and starters. The restaurant also had a breakfast menu featuring various sandwiches, avocado toast, and other specialty toasts.

The brewery's 15,000 square-foot building also included a cafe, serving house-roasted coffee.