The craft beer apocalypse, which has compelled 100s of breweries to shut down or file for chapter over the past three years, has continued into 2026 with no sign of ending.
Breweries say they’re dealing with fierce competitors, increased labor and product prices, and customers’ altering attitudes towards ingesting alcoholic drinks, which is slicing into income.
Over 250 breweries within the U.S. closed down within the first six months of 2025, and extra closings adopted within the second half of the 12 months.
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 chapter safety on Jan. 15 to restructure its money owed and proceed working.
The 4 by 4 chapter adopted the closing of the fledgling craft brewery and beer model 21 Locks Brewing Firm, which shut down its taproom, restaurant, and services in early January, because it confronted monetary difficulties that it couldn’t overcome.
21 Locks Brewing Firm closed down its brewery, taproom, restaurant, and occasional store.
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21 Locks Brewing closes its brewery services
The Morrisville, Pa.-based brewery, taproom, espresso store, and restaurant institution posted a message on its web site and on social media on Dec. 31, 2025, stating that it was closing down its enterprise.
“Closed Indefinitely,” the brewery’s message to its clients acknowledged. “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 mentioned, within the brief time we had, this place turned one thing very significant to us. Constructed round a easy thought of espresso, pizza, beer, 21 Locks was created to be a welcoming area for our neighborhood to assemble, join, and have a good time,” the message continued.
“We’re deeply grateful to everybody who supported us this 12 months: our visitors, regulars, employees, musicians, distributors, neighbors, and associates. Your encouragement, conversations, and presence made each lengthy day value 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 Might 2025
21 Locks Brewing Co. launched its enterprise with a ribbon-cutting occasion on Might 30, 2025, to kick off Morrisville’s Canal Fest Weekend, Bucks County Information Community reported.
21 Locks’ ultimate occasion was its Comedy Evening on Jan. 9, 2026, which featured 5 comedians: Dan Callahan, Connor Lutz, Bob Marsdale, Invoice Chiang, and Ryan Foster. Earlier than that occasion, 21 Locks offered Nation Line Dancing with Ashley Rose on Jan. 2.
Extra closings: (1-31)
- Bankrupt restaurant chains completely shut well-liked areas
- Main retail chain closes 35 shops nationwide, no chapter
- One other main retail chain closes warehouse operations
The brewery’s title paid tribute to the 21 locks alongside the historic Delaware Canal that runs previous the brewery, in line with its web site. The canal was integral to shifting coal from the Allegheny mines out to the ports from which it was shipped domestically and internationally.
21 Locks’ web site not lists the beers that it brewed, however the brewer’s itemizing on Untappd.com reveals 24 completely different beers on its menu.
Brewery closed its restaurant and occasional store
The brewery’s kitchen supplied a menu with a wide range of smashburgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and starters. The restaurant additionally had a breakfast menu that includes numerous sandwiches, avocado toast, and different specialty toasts.
The brewery’s 15,000 square-foot constructing additionally included a restaurant, serving house-roasted espresso.
21 Locks Brewing Co.’s beers:
- Spillway, IPA New England Hazy
- Multeer, Gentle Darkish
- Culvert, Stout Irish Dry
- Sluice, Pale Ale New England Hazy
- Kanaal, Belgian Tripel
- Hole Quoin Espresso Milk Stout
- Bridge Avenue Cream Ale
- Torrent IPA, Imperial Double
- Towpath, Lager Mexican
- Weirpool, Wheat Beer
- Riparian, Kolsch
- Freeman, Pale Ale American
- 32 West IPA Imperial Double
- Drift IPA, New England Hazy
- Floor Paddle – Apricot, Bitter Fruited
- Windlass, Pilsner German
- Lock Fest, Lager Helles
- Pitch, Lager Darkish
- 10*, Pilsner Czech Bohemian
- Headwater, IPA New England Hazy
- Himbeere, Wheat Beer, Hefeweizen
- Sheaf, Farmhouse Ale Saison
- Christopher, Lager, American
- 10*, Pilsner Lager Svetle Czech Pale;
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