Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Beer connoisseurs all over have had to endure the unenjoyable experience of watching their favorite taprooms and breweries close their doors over the past two years due to economic troubles that have plagued the industry. So far, the reasoning has been the same across the board: inflation and tariffs, consumers choosing a healthier lifestyle over drinking alcohol, and heightened industry competition. According to the Brewers Association’s 2025 Midyear Market report released in July 2025, craft brewery closings have beaten openings throughout the year. As of June, 9,269 breweries were still operating, down 1% compared to 9,352 in June 2024. Also, the number of craft breweries dropped like a rock from 2024 and 2023, per the report. The number of operating craft breweries fell across the nation to 9,680 in 2024, which was down from 9,747 in 2023. Though a few breweries that have shut down filed for bankruptcy before shuttering operations, others closed their doors without even filing a petition. All that being said, not every craft brewery and taproom closing is a dead giveaway of financial hardship and economic troubles. One great example is FX Matt Brewing Co., which is set to close its Flying Bison Brewing Company taproom in Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 29, after the brand was sold, as all recipes and trademarks went to Hamburg Brewing Co. The brands owned by FX Matt Brewing Co. include: Saranac Utica Club Flying Dog McKenzie’s Hard Cider Right Coast ready-to-drink cocktails. Since the sale, Hamberg Brewing will take over the manufacturing of Flying Bison’s beers and it plans to continue producing and distributing the brand. “Flying Bison has deep roots in Buffalo’s brewing history, and we’re proud of the role we played in supporting and sustaining that heritage over the past 15 years,” Fred Matt, president and CEO of FX Matt Brewing Company, said in a statement within the release. “Hamburg Brewing is a respected and community-focused craft brewery with a strong presence in Western New York. We’re confident they’re the right partner to carry the Flying Bison legacy forward,” he added. Established in 2013, the Hamburg, N.Y.-based buyer is a family-owned brewery, which now features Flying Bison in its Hamburg taproom. Customers can purchase cans or bottles, which are still available at the same retailers who carried the brand before the sale went through.
