Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter October 1-3. Become an Insider today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.
Dangerous Man Returns Under New Ownership
Minnesota’s Dangerous Man Brewing is making a comeback.
The 12-year-old Minneapolis craft brewery is returning under new ownership, seven months after its ceased operations, Dangerous Man announced earlier this week. The company has been acquired by Rafters Brewing (Lakeville, MN) founder Jeremy Kuhns, with plans to bring beers back to shelves by November.
Dangerous Man founder and former owner Rob Miller will continue with the company as head brewery. “Several former staff members” will also return.
Miller said in the release: “I am excited for this new chapter of Dangerous Man, that the brand will live on, and that I will be heading up the brewing department and leading the creative direction in our beverages, as this was always my passion within the company.
“Jeremy made it clear to me that he wanted my involvement from the start if we were to bring Dangerous Man back. I am thrilled to see where we can take Dangerous Man under new ownership with fresh perspectives and ideas. I am humbled that Dangerous Man will live on and that it will remain a locally family-owned company.”
Additionally, “plans are in the works for a new metro Dangerous Man taproom” at a yet-to-be-determined location. Dangerous Man closed its taproom in later 2023, citing sales declines and rising costs after the COVID-19 pandemic. Total brewery operations were later shut down in March 2025.
Nebraska Brewing to Close
After 18 years, Nebraska Brewing Company will cease operations, founders Paul and Kim Kavulak shared in a social media post. A final day of operations has yet to be determined.
The Kavulaks wrote: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we announce the upcoming closure of Nebraska Brewing Company. We have felt the support of our community especially strong over the last several months and hope to see you in the coming weeks as we inch closer to developing a final timeline.”
News of the planned closure follows Nebraska Brewing filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May. At the time, the company called the move the start of a new chapter and cited a belief that there was “a path to success.”
Wilding Brands’ Funkwerks to Close Taproom
Wilding Brands’ Funkwerks (Fort Collins, Colorado) will shutter its taproom next month after 15 years.
Funkwerks will continue to distribute its beer, which has been produced at Denver Beer Co. since 2024, the Denver Post reported. The taproom’s last day of operation will be November 1.
The news comes several months after Denver’s Great Divide Brewing closed two of its own tasting rooms, shortly after its acquisition by Wilding Brands. The Colorado craft platform, formed earlier this year, also includes Stem Ciders, Denver Beer Co., Cerveceria Colorado, Formation Brewing and Howdy Beer, among other brands.
As of press time (October 2) Funkwerks has not made any social media posts since September 27, three days prior to the closure announcement. A banner on the brewery’s website notifies visitors of the taproom closing, and encourages consumers to join a closing party on November 1 “as we celebrate the life (and final pints) of our taproom.”
ICYMI: Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante checked in on the state of craft in the Centennial State ahead of next week’s Great American Beer Festival. Catch up on the story here, including comments from Colorado Brewers Guild executive director Shawnee Adelson, Wild Brands chief development officer Charlie Berger, and more.