Beloved beer brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The Great Beerpocalypse, the economic downturn affecting the craft beer industry since the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to claim victims as brewers shut down taprooms and breweries and sometimes file for bankruptcy.

American craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer in 2024, which was a 3.9% decrease from 2023, according to the Brewers Association’s Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report that was updated on May 6.

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The report revealed that 2024 was the first year since 2005 that the number of breweries closing outpaced brewery openings nationwide, as 430 new breweries opened, while 529 closed.

Related: Another popular furniture retailer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The good news for the industry was that the total number of breweries increased to 9,922 in 2024 from 9,838 in 2023.

While openings declined four consecutive years, the closure rate was considered low at about 5%.

Craft breweries that closed businesses without filing for bankruptcy included Sacramento-based brewery and taproom chain Device Brewing Company, which shut down all of its locations on April 27 after a landlord filed a lawsuit against the company over $23,000 in unpaid rent.

The brewery did not reveal a reason for shutting down its three brewery taproom locations. 

Atlanta-area craft brewery Jekyll Brewing, which operated four locations in Georgia and one in Florida, closed all of its locations at the end of business on May 11.

The brewer’s owner Michael Lundmark confirmed the closure of all Jekyll Brewing locations in a post on Atlanta Beer Society’s members-only Facebook page, TheStreet’s Daniel Kline reported.

Craft breweries file for bankruptcy 

Craft breweries filed for bankruptcies as well, as La Vista, Neb., beer brand Nebraska Brewing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 28, 2025, to implement a strategic restructuring, facing uncertain times and economic and supply chain issues.

Award-winning craft brewery The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on April 29 to liquidate its assets and shut down its business permanently.

The brewery’s owner, Paul Philippon, did not state a specific reason for closing down his business in a Facebook post where he thanked his customers.

Ironmonger Brewing files for bankruptcy  

Finally, MurphDog LLC, which owns Ironmonger Brewing Company’s brewery, taproom, and axe-throwing range, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business, facing financial distress.

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The Marietta, Ga.-based brewer filed its Subchapter V petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia on June 5, listing up to $50,000 in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities, including over $988,000 owed to insider Doug Bippert and over $885,000 owed to Tom Larsen for loans and unpaid compensation.

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The debtor operated a craft brewery, a taproom, a distillery business, and a recreational axe-throwing range. It is unclear if Ironmonger continues to operate.

Ironmonger’s phone line was not operating, and its website was disabled on June 6. Tripadvisor listed Ironmonger as permanently closed, while Yelp listed the business as closed also on June 6. 

The company, founded in 2016, brewed several types of beer with unique names, including Zero Mile Pilsner, You Have Feelings IPA, Murph Dog Irish Red for St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, Billet, Et Tu Juiceous, Too Legit to Wit, and Me Seek Porter.

Ironmonger Brewering’s cans of beer were available at Total Wine & More, Grapes & Grains locations, and other stores in Georgia.

Related: Major health care provider files for Chapter 7 liquidation

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