Popular brewery closing unexpectedly after 33 years, no bankruptcy

For a restaurant to survive for 33 years, it has to be special, a little lucky, and have widespread support. Tons of famous-name restaurants have failed well before that, including:

Chi-Chi's: 1975-2004 (29 years) Once a wildly popular Mexican chain in the U.S., it collapsed after bankruptcy and a devastating hepatitis outbreak.
Kenny Rogers Roasters: 1991-1999 (8 years) Founded by country singer Kenny Rogers. Famous for rotisserie chicken. Still exists in parts of Asia but failed in the U.S.

Soup Nazi’s Original Soup Kitchen (Soup Kitchen International): 1984-2004 (20 years) Gained fame from “Seinfeld,” but the original NYC location closed after disputes. Attempts to expand under “The Original SoupMan” eventually fizzled.

If the first attempt at a national Mexican-food chain, The Gambler, and a real restaurant that became a fictional one can't make it across the 33-year line, it's a rare eatery that can. The same goes for breweries, as many big names have burned out long before their 33rd birthday:

Steelhead Brewing Company: Founded in 1991, defunct by 2017 (26 years) Once a rising brewpub chain based in California and Oregon. It grew fast in the 1990s but ultimately couldn’t compete in the craft beer boom.
Pete’s Wicked Ale (Pete’s Brewing Company): 1986-2011 (25 years) A pioneer of the 1990s craft beer movement. Hugely popular in its heyday, but sales faded, and the brand was discontinued by its corporate owner.

Pete's Wicked Ale was a titan, a massive brand, but it did not make to its Larry Bird (33) birthday. Breweries have closed at a faster rate than they have opened in 2025, due to a mix of rising rents and labor costs, diminished demand, and the ever-increasing cost of ingredients.

Brewing your own beer is a very crowded space.

Image source: Shutterstock

Capitol City Brewing closing its doors

Any restaurant that survives for even a decade in Washington, D.C., has done something impressive. Capital City Brewing made it 33 years, but will not see its 34th birthday.

“After 33+ unforgettable years Cap City is closing, but not without one last round. Join us this August for great food, cold beer, and a toast to the community that made it all happen,” the company posted on its website.

A new restaurant, Le Midi, will eventually take over the space. Le Midi will have live entertainment, but will not be a brewery.

Capital City shared its proud history on its website.

“Since ’92, we’ve been serving up award-winning handcrafted beers and mouthwatering comfort food favorites in the heart of D.C. But here’s the twist – we’re all about the locals and the sports enthusiasts,” it posted.

More Bankruptcy:

The restaurant has served as a sort of hub for the local brewing and brewery community.

“We proudly pour beers from the best local breweries in the DMV, making us the ultimate sports bar for fans who want to support local brews. We’re talking about those hidden gems crafting incredible brews right in our backyard. So, as you settle in to watch your favorite sporting events on one of our numerous TVs, you can enjoy a pint with us and know that you’re supporting the local beer scene,” it shared.

Notable brewery closures (last 12 months)

A number of breweries across the United States have closed in the past 12 months:

Brüeprint Brewing Company (North Carolina): Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 9, 2025, shuttering operations and liquidating. Had retail distribution at Whole Foods, Wegmans, and others locations.
Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery (Farmville, NC): Closed April 26-27, 2025, after ending a 20-year run. Rising production costs and shifting consumer tastes cited as reasons.
Cycle Brewing (St. Petersburg, FL): Announced shutdown in May 2025 after 12 years in operation. A British-themed concept is set to replace it.
Metropolitan Brewing (Chicago, IL): Closed December 18, 2023, after filing bankruptcy in October. Known for traditional German lager styles.
Company Brewing (Milwaukee, WI): Permanently closed as of May 28, 2024, after nearly 25 years. Financial constraints and market saturation were cited.
Dubious Claims Brewing Co. (Excelsior Springs, MO): Closed February 1, 2025, after 6-and-a-half years in operation.
Willcott Brewing Company & Taproom (Leavenworth, KS): Closed January 1, 2025, halting operations and retail distribution.
Black Pony Brewing (Marysville, MO): Ended brewing operations in early 2025; continues operating as a pub.
Four City Brewing (East Orange, NJ): Closed in March 2025. Local patrons lamented its loss.
Thimble Island Brewing Co. (Branford, CT): Closed taproom permanently on May 24, 2025, due to industry declines and internal challenges.