Popular beer brand closes business down after completing sale

Craft beer lovers across the nation have watched their favorite taprooms and breweries shut their doors over the last two years as they battled several economic obstacles that have troubled the industry. The reasons given for the craft brewery economic problems have been similar: rising costs ...

Nov 12, 2025 - 12:00

Craft beer lovers across the nation have watched their favorite taprooms and breweries shut their doors over the last two years as they battled several economic obstacles that have troubled the industry.

The reasons given for the craft brewery economic problems have been similar: rising costs driven by inflation and tariffs, consumers’ changing attitudes toward drinking alcohol, and fierce industry competition.

Craft brewery closings outpaced openings in the year ending June 2025, with 9,269 breweries operating in June, down 1%, compared to 9,352 in June 2024, according to the Brewers Association’s 2025 Midyear Market report released in July 2025.

The number of operating craft breweries has also plummeted significantly from 2024 and 2023, based on the association’s report. The number of operating craft breweries declined nationwide to 9,680 in 2024, down from 9,747 in 2023.

Some of the breweries that shut down filed for bankruptcy before closing their operations, while others just closed their doors without filing a petition.

21st Amendment Brewery closes its doors

Most recently, San Francisco-based 21st Amendment Brewery closed the doors of its San Francisco-based brewpub and its San Leandro, Calif., brewery and taproom on Nov. 4 without filing for bankruptcy, after the company's sales declined 20% each year since 2021.

The craft brewery's lender informed the brewer that it would no longer fund the company due to its “cash bleed,” which was the final nail in the coffin for the company.

The San Francisco brewpub's webpage lists the establishment as "Permanently Closed." The company's San Leandro webpage reads: "404 Page Not Found. The page you requested does not exist."

Not all craft brewery and taproom closings are signs of financial distress and economic problems, however.

Flying Bison Brewing will close its Buffalo, N.Y., taproom after Hamburg Brewing Co. acquired the brand.
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Flying Bison Brewing to close after sale

Historic craft brewery FX Matt Brewing Co. will close its Flying Bison Brewing Company taproom in Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 29, after selling the beer brand, including all recipes and trademarks, to Hamburg Brewing Co.

FX Matt Brewing Co. brands

Saranac
Utica Club
Flying Dog
McKenzie's Hard Cider
Right Coast ready-to-drink cocktails.

Hamburg Brewing will take over the manufacturing of Flying Bison's beers and continue producing and distributing the brand throughout the region.

“Flying Bison has deep roots in Buffalo’s brewing history, and we’re proud of the role we played in supporting and sustaining that heritage over the past 15 years,” Fred Matt, president and CEO of FX Matt Brewing Company, said in a statement.

Hamburg Brewing will continue producing Flying Bison

"Hamburg Brewing is a respected and community-focused craft brewery with a strong presence in Western New York. We’re confident they’re the right partner to carry the Flying Bison legacy forward,” Matt said.

The Hamburg, N.Y.-based buyer is a family-owned brewery, established in 2013, that now features Flying Bison in its Hamburg taproom. Cans and bottles of Flying Bison Beer are also available at the same retailers who carried the brand before the sale closed.

More closings:

Major trucking company closes Home Depot distribution facility
63-year-old bankrupt retail chain closes all stores permanently
Discount retail chain closes half its store locations

FX Matt Brewing, which was established in 1888 in Utica, N.Y., is one of the oldest craft brewers in the U.S. The brewery produces several brands, including Saranac, Utica Club, Flying Dog, McKenzie's Hard Cider, and Right Coast ready-to-drink cocktails.

Flying Bison's taproom offers 14 of its beers on tap and three seltzers. It also offers cans and bottles of FX Matt Brewing Co. varieties, Matt Brewing, Saranac, and Right Coast.