The St. Louis craft beer landscape is facing a significant change as one of its prominent members, O'Fallon Brewery, has shuttered its doors. The closure comes after the brewery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in the year, setting the stage for a considerable auction of its brewing apparatus. According to Fox2Now, the auction is set to commence on October 16 on BidSpotter.com, where kegs, barrels, bottles, and shelving will be up for grabs.
O’Fallon Brewery was recognized for its influence in the St. Louis brewing scene, particularly for its seasonal pumpkin beer. KSDK and the St. Louis Business Journal both reported on the closure and subsequent sale of the building located at 45 Progress Parkway in Maryland Heights. Jim Gorczyca, the brewery's owner, president, and CEO, revealed to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that a potential sale of the business fell through after a year of negotiations.
Prospective bidders in the upcoming auction can expect a range of equipment from a "multi-million dollar" production facility that includes can and bottling lines. This catalogued sale paints a clear picture of the brewery's former scale, which at one time played a substantial role in regional beer production. Gorczyca shared with the St. Louis Business Journal last year his hope to sell both the brewery operations and the building to the same buyer, a plan that ultimately did not materialize.
Founded in 2000 by Tony and Fran Caradonna, O'Fallon Brewery carved its niche within St. Louis' burgeoning craft beer culture. In 2011, Gorczyca, a former Anheuser-Busch executive, acquired the brewery, leading it until its recent closure. With the O’Bar restaurant also shutting down back in February, the brewery itself saw its final days in May. The revelations from Jim Gorczyca, according to an interview with the St. Louis Business Journal, marks the end of a significant chapter in the local craft beer industry, prompting reactions across the beverage community.
