Ash and Elm, the hometown cidery often credited with jump-starting Indianapolis' craft cider scene, is getting ready to pour its last pints at its downtown taproom in the Assembly Building before the year is out. Owners told staff months ago that the lease would not be renewed, and the spot will stay open through December while the team slowly winds things down. Word of the closing rippled quickly through the Near Eastside, where the taproom has been a go-to for midweek hangs and weekend crowds.
According to Ash & Elm's website, the Indianapolis taproom operates inside the Assembly Building at 1301 E. Washington St., and the company also runs a second taproom in Carmel. Over roughly a decade, the cidery has grown from a single tasting room into a regional brand, selling canned cider in stores along with drafts at its own locations.
The downtown closure first surfaced in a social media announcement and was detailed by FOX59, which reported that Ash and Elm chose not to renew the Assembly Building lease that expires at the end of the year. The company informed its Indy taproom staff about six months ahead of time so employees could look for other jobs, and it cautioned that hours might shift as workers transition out. FOX59 also noted that Ash and Elm continues to operate a production building farther east on Washington Street and is marking its 10th anniversary this year, which makes the timing of the farewell feel a bit bittersweet.
Production and distribution
The cidery's distribution details show that Ash and Elm's canned ciders are sold across Indiana and into Ohio through Cavalier Distributing, which the company lists as its market partner. Ash & Elm's distribution page includes contacts for Cavalier's Indiana and Ohio desks plus the company's market development manager, a clear sign that packaged cider will keep flowing even after the downtown bar lights go out.
Neighbors' reaction and local context
Reaction from regulars and hospitality workers showed up almost immediately in neighborhood spaces online. A thread on Reddit captured a mix of employee concerns and customers promising to make a few extra visits and to keep their dollars with locally owned spots. The move lines up with a broader churn downtown, where ongoing coverage from the Indianapolis Business Journal has tracked a string of recent restaurant and taproom closures tied to lease decisions and shifting demand.
The company plans to keep the Indianapolis taproom open until the lease officially ends in December, according to FOX59. In the meantime, fans who want their cider straight from the source can head to the Carmel taproom, or they can hunt down Ash and Elm cans at local retailers. For details on changing hours and any send-off events as the year winds down, the cidery is pointing people to its website and social channels.
