California’s Antigua Brewing Abruptly Closes Taproom
Antigua Brewing Company has closed its sole location in San Luis Obispo, California, after four years in operation, the SLO Tribune reported.
The shuttering has been characterized as an abrupt move. Visitors reportedly found a note on the front door last week reading: “Closed. Thanks for the memories! Don’t worry, you can still find our delicious beer at your favorite spots throughout SLO County.”
Antigua has yet to make a statement about the closure on any of its social media platforms, with the exception of changing its Instagram bio to “CLOSED.” The brewery’s last social media posts were on July 31, promoting a sale on all merchandise.
Antigua was opened in December 2021 by homebrewers Bambi and Chris Banys, who emphasized their passion for using local hops and other ingredients, according to the report.
The husband-and-wife duo have also reportedly listed their 10-acre estate for sale.
Antigua produced 250 barrels annually, according to Brewers Association (BA) from 2022, 2023 and 2024.
MA’s Navigation Brewing Shutters Lowell Taproom
Navigation Brewing has closed its 10-year-old taproom in Lowell, Massachusetts, and will centralize operations at its facility in nearby Chelmsford.
“While it’s definitely sad news, the big positive is that we’re still in business and moving forward strong,” the brewery wrote on Facebook. “Our Chelmsford location gives us the chance to build out the same vibe you’ve always loved – but with more space, more comfort, and more opportunity for great beer.
“We’re excited for this next chapter and grateful to have our loyal patrons and fans with us on the journey,” Navigation continued.
Navigation opened the Chelmsford taproom as a second location in February 2024. The brewery was founded in 2014, and produced 218 barrels of beer in 2024, according to data from the BA.
VT’s Simple Roots Brewing to Cease Operations
Simple Roots Brewing (Burlington, Vermont) will shut down next month, the brewery’s co-founders announced on social media last week.
“We are incredibly grateful to have been part of the Vermont brewing community, but more importantly the New North End and to have served you for nine wonderful years,” husband-and-wife co-founders Dan Ukolowicz and Kara Pawlusiak wrote.
Ukolowicz and Pawlusiak founded Simple Roots in their garage in 2014, and expanded to a brewery and taproom in Burlington’s Ethan Allen Shopping Center in 2016, according to Vermont’s Seven Days.
Pawlusiak serves as the Vermont Brewers Association board president. She spoke with Brewbound earlier this summer about challenges the Green Mountain State’s craft industry has faced and how brewery owners have coalesced during tough times.
Simple Roots produced 288 barrels of beer in 2024, according to BA data.