Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., known to Houston locals as Buff Brew, is in the middle of a bitter dispute over its Sawyer Yards venue after CEO William McLucas promised a swift reopening despite a recent lockout. In a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle, McLucas told employees and supporters that the company is working hurriedly to resolve its financial obligations with landlords and revive operations at its taproom and brewery. His commitment surfaces amid pressing legal and financial challenges.
Buff Brew faced a harsh reality last week when a lock was put on its doors due to nonpayment of rent, leading to the lease termination by Sawyer Yards. But McLucas, striking an optimistic tone in a post on Instagram, stated, "Despite the circumstances that led to our building closure, we are working quickly to settle our financial commitment with our landlords and return home to our beloved Sawyer Yards taproom and brewery." Meanwhile, Sawyer Yards' owner Jon Deal conveyed his own version of the unfolding conflict, detailing the failed communications and unmaterialized promises that have marred negotiations.
As reported by CultureMap, Deal expressed openness to discussing Buff Brew's future, albeit with strings attached. He highlighted the necessity for "meaningful" dialogue that involves new investors capable of tackling the company's financial troubles. Deal's conditions aim to ensure that any potential revival plan is fortified with solid operational experience and significant capital.
In the midst of internal turbulence, Buff Brew has been engulfed in legal woes. A recent lawsuit from Frost Bank is seeking over $1.6 million to satiate an unpaid loan balance. This case adds to a series of financial downfalls for the brewery, which included failing to fulfill payment obligations to investors on the NextSeed crowdfunding platform. Despite these setbacks, McLucas maintained in his letter a fervent belief in the brewery's imminent comeback, pledging to keep supporters in the loop "in the days ahead."
Adding to the list of immediate concerns is the fate of the craft beer currently sitting in limbo inside Buff Brew's facilities. According to Deal's account to CultureMap, efforts to contact Buff Brew’s attorneys about managing the existing beer stock have so far been futile.
