In an announcement that took many by surprise, Lagunitas Brewing Company has decided to close its Chicago taproom and relocate brewing operations back to its original Petaluma, California, brewery, marking the end of a significant chapter in the city's thriving craft beer narrative. This revelation comes just over a year after the taproom's enthusiastic reopening post-pandemic , keeping the warehouse operations running in its current location next to Douglass Park.
Founded in California in 1993 and expanding to Chicago in 2014, Lagunitas became a landmark for beer enthusiasts and a key player in the local economy. Sadly, the closure affects 86 workers, with a commitment from Lagunitas to transition some employees to their California facility.
A Reflection on the Impact and the Future
"The decision to concentrate our brewing operations in California is a strategic move to future-proof our company amidst the evolving craft beer landscape," the news release explained. It emphasized the company's ongoing commitment to the Chicago area, promising continuous supply of their hop-forward IPAs and other brews to partner bars, restaurants, and stores throughout Chicagoland.
The Chicago facility, once a vibrant hub for beer lovers with favorites like A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’, not only served as a local destination but also as a gateway for the brand's expansion to the Midwest and East Coast markets. The 2015 acquisition of a 50-percent stake by Heineken’s parent company, followed by a full purchase two years later, brought significant changes to the company's operations and culture.
An anonymous employee shared with WGN News , "It's been kind of chaotic and rudderless since the buyout... Watching our culture decline has been tough."
This sentiment mirrors broader struggles within the craft beer industry, highlighted by recent closures and the need for innovation and sustainability in brewing practices.
Related: Beer Review: "THE" Waldo's Special Ale – Lagunitas
The closure of Lagunitas Chicago doesn't just signify the end of another Chicago brewery but reflects the broader challenges facing the craft beer industry. As the company looks to "future-proof" its operations, the community and its employees face a period of transition and adaptation. Despite their physical departure from Chicago, Lagunitas's beers will continue to flow in the Windy City, preserving a legacy that, for a decade, contributed richly to its craft beer culture.
The brewery and taproom are expected to close on August 1, 2024.
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