This year meant a final closing time for 9 Austin-area breweries, taprooms
From influx to uncertainty, the Austin-area craft brewing scene has seen a flurry of closings in recent years. Pandemic-related struggles hit the brewing industry as many companies were working to adapt to another disruption in the market, as the emergence of hard seltzers and canned cocktails gained popularity.
For some, this proved to be too much, and for others, it was simply time to call it quits. Here are nine Austin-area breweries or taprooms that didn’t make it through 2023.
Oskar Blues
In November, Colorado-based craft brewer Oskar Blues abruptly closed its doors in Austin for good after more than seven years as a fixture on Metric Boulevard.
News of the closure was not communicated on the company’s Instagram, Facebook or X — formerly Twitter — accounts; however, many people shared photos and video of a sign on the building’s door that said, “We are closed.”
Circle Brewing
After almost 15 years of business, Circle Brewing Co. announced in September that it would cease operations. The company announced the closure of its Braker Lane location on Instagram and the Circle Brewing website.
While a reason for closing wasn’t stated, the announcement did refer to the company’s “recurring motif ” of having “far too much optimism and not nearly enough money.” The first instance of this came during development in 2008, when the team began “raising money two weeks into the financial crisis.” The Braker Lane location then opened in 2010.
Austin Eastciders (Barton Springs location)
Austin Eastciders announced in March that it would close its restaurant and taproom on Barton Springs Road after nearly three years.
No details were offered in the announcement on Instagram as to why the location was shutting down. The local brewery did assure fans that the Collaboratory taproom in East Austin would remain open.
Fire Base Brewing Co.
Temple-based Fire Base Brewing announced in late September that it would call it quits after opening in 2019. In an Instagram post, the company said its business plan and location did not work out, and that the effects of the COVID-19 closures were too much to overcome.
“We would like to thank everyone who has shared a beer with us over these 3.5 years - helping us bring Veteran Brewed craft beer to Temple for the first time,” it said.
Hedgehog Brewing
Cedar Park’s Hedgehog Brewing
closed in July after announcing on Instagram that the choice was made with heavy hearts. The post did not mention why the decision to close the brewery was made.
It had been serving the greater Austin area for four years and was conceived when its owners built a habit of collecting wild yeast in the Hill Country.
Koko’s Bavarian (temporarily closed)
Koko’s Bavarian is the only addition to this list that is not closed for good. The taproom, at 4715 E. Fifth St., said it would close for the summer due to “maintenance and renovations.”
That post was made in June, however, and it looks as if the biergarten will still be closed at the start of the new year.
Humble Pint Brewing Co.
Humble Pint, in Leander, announced on Instagram that it would throw in the towel in September.
In a video, the company said, “It’s time for a new chapter in our lives, and while we’re still not sure exactly what that will entail, we are thrilled to let you in on a little secret we’ve been keeping; there is something special in the works for y’all!”
The secret was that a new brewpub, Obsidian Brewery, took over the space from Humble Pint.
Rentsch Brewery Outpost (second location)
In June, the owners of Rentsch Brewery in Georgetown announced via Instagram that its second location, also in Georgetown, would close for good.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that we are closing Rentsch Brewery Outpost, with immediate effect. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way,” they said.
The post did not clarify why the Brewery decided to close the location.
Starbase Brewing (taproom only)
Starbase Brewing announced it would close its location at 4700 Burleson Road to focus on distribution.