Craft brewery lovers have been crying in their beer over the last three years as a downturn in the industry continues with no end in sight.
More breweries closed than opened in the year ending June 2025, declining to 9,269 breweries from 9,352 in June 2024, according to the Brewers Association’s 2025 Midyear Market Report.
Brewery closings followed the previous year’s downturn, when operating craft breweries declined nationwide to 9,680 in 2024, down from 9,747 in 2023.
Among the recent craft brewery bankruptcies have been Mount Pleasant, Iowa-based The Grange Public House & Brewery LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 22, seeking to restructure its debts.
The Grange Brewery, which opened in 2020, brews 23 different beers, with many of its beers available for purchase in cans.
Other recent brewery bankruptcy filings include Dissent Craft Brewing, which shut down its flagship brewery location in St. Petersburg, Fla., and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on Aug. 17.
Recent brewery bankruptcies:
- The Grange Public House & Brewery LLC, Chapter 11, Sept. 22.
- Memphis Made Brewing Company, Chapter 11, Aug. 7, 2025.
- Three Weavers Brewing Company, Chapter 11, July 24.
Also, Memphis Made Brewing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 7, 2025, while Inglewood, Calif.-based Three Weavers Brewing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 24.
Image source: Shutterstock
Iron Hill Brewery files Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation
And now, Iron Hill Brewery LLC has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation about 10 days after shutting down all 16 of its craft brewery and restaurant locations in five Eastern states.
The Exton, Pa.-based debtor filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden on Oct. 3, claiming to have about $125,000 on hand and owing creditors about $20 million in debts in its petition, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Related: Popular beer brand and brewery files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Iron Hill Brewery, which was founded 29 years ago in Newark, Del., closed all of its locations on Sept. 25, with notes posted on its doors and website for its customers, USA Today reported.
Iron Hill Brewery’s assets and debts
- $125,000 cash on hand.
- $20 million in debts.
“To Our Valued Guests,” the note read, “After many wonderful years serving our communities, this location, along with our other 15 locations, has closed. It has been our pleasure to serve you, and we are deeply grateful for your support, friendship, and loyalty over the years. We sincerely hope to return in the future, and when we do, we promise to welcome you with open arms. With gratitude, The Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Team.”
Iron Hill Brewery’s message to employees
The company also sent an email to employees alerting them to the closing, the Delaware New Journal reported.
“Dear Team,” the message read, “I hope this message finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the closure of all our restaurant locations effective immediately. Due to ongoing financial challenges, the company had made the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy and, regrettably, will be permanently closing its doors.”
Law firm investigates abrupt brewery shutdown
The number of Iron Hill Brewery employees who lost their jobs is unclear, but at least one law firm, Sauder Schelkopf, is investigating the abrupt shutdown of Iron Hill Brewery and whether the craft brewer was required to file a 60-day Worker Adjustment and Retraining notice before laying off its employees.
More bankruptcy:
- 34-year-old casual dining chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Major seafood company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- 55-year-old women’s fashion company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Under the federal statute, employers with 100 or more full-time workers employed for six months of the 12 months preceding the required date of notification must give 60 days’ notice of layoffs.
Employers who violate the statute can be liable for up to 60 days of back pay and benefits to employees.
Related: Popular healthcare retail chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
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