AB InBev is shutting the doors of two of its US breweries, Wynwood Brewing in Miami, Florida, and Golden Road Brewing in Sacramento, California.
Wynwood Brewing is set to merge with its sister business Veza Sur following the closure, situated “just up the street”, according to a statement.
Despite the sale of the brewery site, the group will continue to produce Wynwood Brewing brands including La Rubia.
Megan Ruiz-Necuze, commercial director of La Rubia, said the brand was “pivotal” to its for growth.
“It was quickly embraced by the community here and the brand has really taken off, with its success becoming increasingly pivotal to our operations,” she said.
Besides La Rubia, the brewer also produces Laces IPA, Father Francisco Belgian style golden ale and Pop’s Porter. These brands are still expected to be made at Veza Sur.
Ruiz-Necuze added: “Moving to the Veza Sur brewpub will allow us to focus on La Rubia and continue to brew signature Wynwood beers like Father Francisco and Pop’s Porter”.
Operations at the Wynwood brewery and taproom will cease after 4 February.
Set up in 2014, the business described itself as “the first craft production brewery in Miami”.
“We’re incredibly excited to see La Rubia continue to grow,” Ruiz-Necuze said. “With this new focus, we have ambitions for La Rubia to grow beyond South Florida, while honoring its Miami roots.”
Founded in 2011 by Meg Gill and Tony Yanow, Golden Road Brewing produces a range of wheat ale, IPA, cerveza, blonde ale and non-alcoholic craft beers. It also makes sparkling cocktail RTDs.
In a statement, Golden Road’s general manager Craig Weiner said the move “reflects the current operating realities facing the entire restaurant and hospitality industry”.
He added: “we are committed to supporting our people through this transition.”
Weiner indicated that the closure of the brewery would not mean dissolving the brand, with its beers continuing to be stocked at “bars, restaurants, and bottle shops.”
The brewery is said to have shuttered this week, reports from the Miami Herald indicate.
Just Drinks has asked AB InBev to confirm where Golden Road’s production is moving to, as well as how many jobs will be affected by the closures.
AB InBev purchased the Golden Road Brewing via its US arm Anheuser-Busch in 2015.
The Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), partly owned by AB InBev, secured a 24.5% stake in Wynwood in 2016. It was fully purchased by CBA in 2019.
