Multiple Denver-Area Breweries Announce Closures Amid U.S. Craft Beer Decline

Denver's craft beer scene is facing significant challenges with several notable closures. Banded Oak Brewing, founded in 2015, announced it will close at the end of September, joining other recent shutdowns including Great Divide, Cerveceria Colorado, and Blue Moon Brewing. TRVE Brewing, known for its heavy metal music focus and welcoming atmosphere, is closing both its Denver and Asheville locations by July 12 after more than a decade, citing numerous challenges and changing industry dynamics such as rising costs and shifting consumer preferences. These closures reflect a broader trend in the craft beer industry, which saw a decline in the number of breweries in 2024 for the first time in nearly 20 years. Similarly, Anchor Steam Brewing Company, one of America's oldest and a pioneer in the craft beer movement, ceased production in 2023 and, despite initial hopes, will not reopen its original San Francisco brewery, instead contracting production out of the city. Together, these developments highlight the difficulties faced by craft breweries amid economic pressures and evolving market conditions.