Breweries, beer bars that have closed permanently
Hospitality continues to be one of the biggest industries caught up in the hangover effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with multiple permanent restaurant closures as Denver bars, restaurants and taprooms have been prohibited from allowing inperson dining since March 17. Craft breweries and beer bars, too, have taken a hit.
In an April survey of 525 American breweries, 2.3% said they would close imminently because of social distancing protocols and drops in revenue. An additional 82.4% of respondents said they could sustain between one week and six months under the circumstances before being forced to close, according to trade group the
Brewers Association, which conducted the survey.
Unfortunately, those premonitions are now becoming reality in Colorado, as several breweries and tap houses have announced they will shutter permanently due to the business climate caused by the current health crisis.
Fort Lupton-based Gorilla Alchemy Brewery was preparing to move into a new building on Main Street when the state’s stay at home order went into effect and the investor financing the purchase pulled out, said Marcus Wulf, owner of the nearly 2-year-old nanobrewery. The fact that he had already moved out of his previous facility complicated matters.
“We didn’t have any space where we could brew beer or distribute, so we were left with everything sitting in storage,” Wulf said. “Without [funding], I couldn’t move forward. It put me in a checkmate position.”
Gorilla Alchemy is one of a recent wave of brewery and beer bar closures caused by the economic downturn related to the pandemic. We’ll be keeping a running list online, at theknow.denverpost.com.
• Gorilla Alchemy Brewery (Fort Lupton); now closed
• Iron Bird Brewing Co. (Colorado Springs); now closed
• Kline’s Beer Hall (Arvada); now closed
• Next Stop Brew Co. (Denver); closing May 30
• Veteran Brothers Brewing Co. (Johnstown); now closed