Brattleboro, Vermont-based Hermit Thrush Brewery will close next month after nearly a decade.
The sour-centric craft brewery announced the news of its impending closure on social media yesterday citing “consumer price demands” and “evolving market dynamics.”
Chrisophe Gagné and Avery Schwenk founded Hermit Thrush in 2014, dedicating their entire portfolio to sour beers made with locally sourced ingredients.
“From the outset, our journey has surpassed our wildest dreams, with our sours reaching corners and communities we only imagined when we began,” the company wrote on Instagram. “This achievement fills us with immense pride and gratitude. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has walked through our taproom doors, enjoyed our sours at their favorite bars, and brought our beer into their homes and gatherings.
“Additionally, we owe profound gratitude to our tremendous staff, many of whom have become some of our closest friends, for their dedication and passion which have been the backbone of our operations. Your support and love for our craft have been the pillars of our existence.”
The brewery’s last day of regular operations will be April 7. It will remain open for online order pickup only through April 28.
Hermit Thrush produced 880 barrels of beer in 2022, down from 925 in 2021, according to the Brewers Association (BA) in last year’s May/June New Brewer Magazine. In the last 52 weeks (ending February 24), Hermit Thrush dollar sales in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels have declined -24.1% and volume has declined -20.1%. Declines accelerated in the last four weeks, with dollar sales declining -33.1% year-over-year (YoY) and volume -31.2%.
The brewery’s declines come as the overall sour segment has hit a slump, with dollar sales in the last 52 weeks declining -8.9% and volume -9.4%. In the last four weeks, sour ale dollar sales declined -14.8% YoY and volume -16.8%.
Several breweries have been reevaluating their investment in sours, which typically take longer to produce than more trendy beer styles. California-based Russian River recently converted its barrel-aged sour space into a lager house, a transition co-owner Natalie Cilurzo discussed last year on the Brewbound Podcast. Oregon-based Von Ebert Brewing is planning a similar transition, head brewer Sam Pecoraro recently told Brewbound.
Hermit Thrush’s Schwenk is the former board president of the Vermont Brewers Association (VBA), helping start the trade group’s sustainability committee. He is now a member of the government affairs committee.
Hermit Thrush tasting room manager and events coordinator Joan Bulzacchelli serves on the VBA events and marketing committee and the diversity, equity and inclusion committee, according to the VBA website.