This craft beer brewery was going to help transform Hialeah. Now it’s closing

When it opened in a former warehouse in east Hialeah in 2020, Unbranded Brewing Company aimed to be part of a neighborhood movement to become a viable arts district.

Now, the craft brewery at 1395 E 11th Ave., founded by Lance Aschliman and Zachary Swanson is shutting down.

Known for its wood-aged lagers, Unbranded announced its closing via its Instagram account with “a heavy heart,” thanking its customers and the dwindling Miami craft beer community for its support and collaborations.

“It has been our absolute honor and privilege to have served the community of Hialeah since we moved into the neighborhood in 2015,” the post said. “We will forever cherish the memories we have created together, from weddings and baby showers to warehouse wrestling matches, from Texas-style barbecue platters to innovative pop-up foods, and, yes, even the occasional rave.”

No reason for the closing was given.

When Unbranded launched, the hope was that Hialeah would support the brewery as the brewery helped to build up the fledgling Leah Arts District, an industrial corridor that hoped to become Hialeah’s answer to Wynwood. Its existence encouraged Miami restaurateur Matt Kuscher to buy and renovate Stephen’s Deli (now Kush by Stephen’s), which has been open in this warehouse district since 1954.

“We want to be Hialeah,” Aschliman told the Miami Herald when Unbranded opened.

“We wanted to be an anchor for this district,” Swanson added.

Now, the owners are planning a farewell bash for Aug. 31, urging followers to keep an eye on the brand’s Instagram account for more details.

Unbranded is the third Miami-Dade brewery to close in 2024. In January, Wynwood Brewing Company, which opened in 2013 and blazed a trail for Miami’s craft beer scene, announced it was closing its taproom at 565 NW 24th St. to merge with its sister brew pub Veza Sur Brewing Company, located just a few blocks away.

In April, Union Beer Store on Calle Ocho in Little Havana closed its doors after seven years in the business.

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