The taps have stopped flowing at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company, a mainstay of the Houston craft beer scene since 2011. According to a recent report from the Houston Chronicle, BuffBrew closed its doors on January 26th after a spate of financial and legal troubles. Jon Deal, owner of the property at Sawyer Yards, has allegedly locked out the brewery due to non-payment of rent. The company had endeavored to save its operation, including securing two federal Paycheck Protection Program loans reportedly totaling about $2 million, as detailed by ProPublica.
Buffalo Bayou Brewing isn't the only local brewer to recently shutter. CultureMap reports that around a dozen Houston craft breweries closed in 2022, and others have been through ownership changes. Ingenious Brewing Co. and Twisted Acre Brewery are among those that have fallen victim to the after-effects of the pandemic, despite best attempts to stay afloat. Ingenious closed on January 6th, with its owners acknowledging via Instagram that COVID-19 had been "brutal to craft beer industry." Meanwhile, Twisted Acre ended its five-year stint in March 2023, with the owners citing the current economic climate as unsustainable for the business.
While some Houston breweries have closed, others have found ways to carry on the craft. Misfit Outpost has moved into Twisted Acre's former spot, already pouring fan favorites such as their triple IPA and robust stout. This move spells a somewhat positive note amid the downfall of the brewery scene in the area. Despite these setbacks, survivors within the industry continue to push forward, signaling that the passion for craft beer in Houston persists amidst daunting economic challenges.
The Houston craft beer community has been witnessing a somber trend of closures and economic hardship. Among the fallen is Black Page Brewing Co., which closed last summer after a short run. The failure of CounterCommon, Bellaire's first brewpub, underlines the vulnerabilities local small businesses are often faced with. Less than a year after their opening, they were forced to close their doors with a heartfelt statement to their fans and collaborators shared on Instagram, urging people to "support your local small businesses who risk it all to create something special for the community."
Together, these stories create a sobering narrative of Houston's craft beer industry, struggling to rebound from the financial blows delivered by recent global events. Yet, the community's resolve to support and celebrate their beloved local institutions offer a glimmer of hope, as evidenced by the persistent efforts of breweries like Misfit Outpost to maintain a vibrant beer culture in the city.
