The beer industry has faced a downturn over the last four years that has resulted in major, historic beer brands closing down breweries and hundreds of smaller craft brewers shutting down operations and going out of business.
The grandaddy of all craft brewers, Anchor Brewing, which was established in 1869, ceased national sales in June 2023, a month before filing Chapter 11 in July 2023 and closing down its brewery. The beer brand was acquired a year later but has not reopened.
And now, iconic Irish beer brand Guinness announced on social media that it will close its Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Md., on Nov. 1, 2026, after operating the facility since 2018.
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Guinness U.S. brewery permanently closes
“After more than eight years in Baltimore, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery will serve its final pint on Sunday, November 1st, 2026,” the brewery said on its Instagram page.
“Since opening in 2018, we’ve welcomed more than two million visitors and shared Guinness brewing, innovation, and hospitality with the Baltimore community,” the post said.
The closing of the Baltimore County Guinness brewery will come about three months after parent company Diageo’s CEO Dave Lewis on Aug. 6 announced a turnaround plan that calls for an undetermined number of employee layoffs, a $1 billion investment in the Guinness brand, and a doubling of the capacity of the beer brand by 2031, according to The Guardian.
“We have made the difficult decision to close the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore,” Diageo said in an Oct. 1 statement. “This decision follows a careful review of our operations and long-term business priorities.”
Brewery closing affects 174 jobs
Aramark Campus LLC, Diageo’s hospitality partner at the brewery, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice on Oct. 1 on behalf of 174 employees at the Halethorpe facility with a layoff date of Nov. 1, 2026.
Diageo had not indicated, as of Oct. 4, if any of its employees’ jobs will be affected by the closing.
“Our immediate focus is supporting affected colleagues through this transition,” Diageo said in a statement. “We are committed to treating our team members with respect and providing resources and assistance to help them navigate the change.”
Diageo donates $250,000 to community
The closing of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery prompted Diageo to donate $250,000 to support Baltimore-area community organizations, according to WBAL radio.
“We are deeply grateful to the Baltimore community, which welcomed us and helped make the brewery a destination for residents and visitors alike,” Diageo said in a statement.
“To recognize that partnership and help support the community’s future, we are establishing a $250,000 community fund that will support local organizations and initiatives focused on strengthening economic opportunity, and the local hospitality industry,” Diageo said.
Chicago Guinness brewery continues
The Dublin, Ireland-based brewer, which was established in 1759, will continue to operate its Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago’s West Loop, which opened in September 2023.
“This was not a decision we made lightly,” Diageo said in a statement. “We are proud of what was built in Baltimore, thankful for everyone who contributed to its success, and committed to supporting our employees and community as we move forward.”
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