The craft beer sector has faced a wave of brewery closings and bankruptcy filings this year that seems to be continuing into 2026.
Breweries that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize their businesses and restructure their debts will continue to fight for their survival in a very competitive industry.
Beer companies that closed down their businesses without filing for bankruptcy could sell their assets to someone who might revive the brand. They could also liquidate all of their assets without filing for bankruptcy.
And then there are the breweries that have such severe financial distress that they have no choice but to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and liquidate.
Breweries file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
St. Petersburg, Fla.-based brewery Dissent Craft Brewing could not withstand financial distress, shut down its operations, and filed for Chapter 7 liquidation on Aug. 17.
Less than two months later, Exton, Pa.-based Iron Hill Brewery LLC shut down all 16 of its brewpub and restaurant locations in five Eastern states and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate all of its assets, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
More closings:
- Major trucking company closes Home Depot distribution facility
- 63-year-old bankrupt retail chain closes all stores permanently
- Discount retail chain closes half its store locations
Craft brewery and distillery Rogue Ales & Spirits abruptly shut down all operations on Nov. 14, including its six Oregon brewpub locations, The Lincoln Chronicle first reported.
Rogue Ales had fallen behind on lease payments, owing $545,000 to the Port of Newport and about $30,000 in taxes to Lincoln County, Ore. The company believed it had no choice but to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate its assets.
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Strike Brewing Co. closes and files Chapter 7 liquidation
And now, award-winning craft brewery Strike Brewing Company, which shut down all operations on Oct. 31, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate its assets.
The San Jose, Calif.-based debtor filed its petition in the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California on Nov. 24, listing $100,000 to $1 million in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities, according to Bankruptcy Observer.
The debtor, which established its business in 2011, did not state a reason for shutting down and filing for bankruptcy.
Strike Brewing Co. history
- 2008: Founders hatch an idea to open a craft brewery.
- 2011: Strike Brewing Co. is founded using contract brewing.
- 2014: Strike Brewing opens its own brewery 2019.
- 2019: Strike Brewing opens a second taproom in Campbell, Calif.
- Oct. 31, 2025: Strike Brewing permanently closes its brewery.
- Nov. 24, 2025: Strike Brewing files Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.
Strike Brewing Company revealed the closing of the business on its website with big red block lettering, “Strike Brewing Co. Is Now Permanently Closed.”
“After 11 incredible years of brewing here in San Jose, we are heartbroken to announce that Strike Brewing Co. will be closing its doors. Our final day of operations will be Friday, October 31st, 2025,” the brewery wrote on its website.
Strike Brewing says goodbye
“This decision was not made lightly. While we’re deeply saddened to say goodbye, we are immensely proud of what we’ve built and forever grateful for the community, friendships, and memories that have made Strike Brewing Co. so special,” the message continued.
“Thank you for more than a decade of love, laughter, and support,” the message concluded.
Strike was the brainchild of business management exec Jenny Lewis and former Stanford and Double-A baseball pitcher Drew Ehrlich, who conceived the idea while drinking homebrews and watching a San Francisco Giants game in 2008, according to Brew Your Own magazine.
Strike Brewing Co. operated two taprooms
The company operated by contract brewing at Hermitage Brewing Company in San Jose for three years before opening its own brewery in July 2014. After operating its taproom for about five years, it opened a second taproom in nearby Campbell, Calif.
Strike Brewing Company’s beer brands Screaming Hand Imperial Amber, Colossus of Clout Irish-Style Red Ale, Big Wall Imperial Stout, and Brown and Blonde have all won awards at the U.S. Open Beer Championships, California State Fair, and/or the World Beer Cup.
Strike Brewing Co. award-winning beers
- Screaming Hand Imperial Amber
- Colossus of Clout Irish-Style Red Ale
- Big Wall Imperial Stout
- Brown and Blonde
Related: Golf legend’s iconic brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
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