Northeast Minneapolis is losing one of its veteran taprooms this summer, as Bauhaus Brew Labs says it will pour its last pints at the end of June after 12 years in business. The family-run brewery plans to go out with a proper sendoff: one more Art-A-Whirl weekend, its Liquid Zoo music bash this weekend, then a round of farewell events around its anniversary in late June.
Owners Cite 'Insurmountable' Financial Headwinds
In a social media post, the Bauhaus team said that "despite pulling every lever available to us, the financial headwinds have proven to be insurmountable" and that they had "made the very difficult and heartbreaking decision to close our doors." As reported by the Star Tribune, the owners pointed to rising supply chain costs, shifts in consumer preferences, fallout from the pandemic and a recent surge in federal immigration enforcement as pressures that left the business on shaky ground. The brewery says it will remain open through Art-A-Whirl, with closing activities scheduled for June 26-28.
Liquid Zoo Will Be The Last Big Blowout
Bauhaus' long-running Liquid Zoo takeover will run Friday through Sunday during Art-A-Whirl, bringing a lineup of local bands, food vendors and a vendor market to the brewery courtyard. The event page confirms the festival is a go this weekend and gives neighborhood regulars one more chance to raise a glass and say goodbye. The full schedule and lineup are listed on Bauhaus Brew Labs.
Part Of A Wider Minnesota Beer Shakeout
The decision lands in the middle of a broader shakeout in Minnesota's craft beer scene, as the boom years cool and more taprooms call it quits or scale back. A Star Tribune examination highlights a mix of challenges facing breweries across the state, including oversaturation, rising rents, tariffs and changing drinking habits among younger customers.
How Bauhaus Tried To Adapt
Post-pandemic, Bauhaus tried to pivot, leaning into non-alcoholic cans and other product lines while promoting NA offerings and nationwide shipping. Management said staff and ownership "worked tirelessly to put solutions into action" but those moves were not enough to overcome the larger economic and industry pressures. More on the brewery's lineup is available on Bauhaus Brew Labs.
Farewell Plans And What To Expect
The taproom will stay open into the start of summer, giving fans, neighbors and artists time to gather at Liquid Zoo and other events before the planned closing weekend. The brewery has encouraged followers to keep an eye on its channels and event listings for updated schedules and details on the final days.
