City Acre Brewing, the Houston brewery known for its backyard beer garden, lawn games, burgers and family-friendly atmosphere, has closed after a 10-year run. The north Houston hangout appears to have gone dark with remarkably little fanfare.
The brewery's Instagram profile now reads “Permanently Closed,” according to Houston Business Journal, which first reported the shutdown. Chron reported that owner Jimmy Garrett had not responded to a request for comment, and no public explanation for the closure was immediately available.
A Backyard Brewery With Serious Burgers
Matt Schlabach and Meredith Borders opened City Acre in 2016, turning a tucked-away property into one of Houston's more distinctive beer destinations. The spot paired house-made amber ales, IPAs, porters and stouts with a vegetable garden, cornhole and a menu built around hefty burgers, sandwiches and salads.
That combination helped City Acre stand out in a city full of taprooms. In 2018, Hoodline ranked City Acre among Houston's top brewpubs, describing it as a local favorite with a backyard-style setting and substantial food menu.
City Acre Already Had One Last-Minute Rescue
This is not the first time City Acre has appeared headed for the exits. In 2022, solar energy entrepreneur and longtime customer Jimmy Garrett bought the brewery after the original owners announced plans to close, telling Chron at the time that he was excited about what came next.
Four years later, that rescue has ended in a permanent closure announcement, though the circumstances remain unclear. The business's former beer garden and restaurant space could eventually draw another concept, but there is no announced successor.
Another Blow To Houston's Craft Beer Scene
City Acre's closing lands during a rough stretch for independent brewing. The Brewers Association reported that U.S. craft beer production fell 4% in the first half of 2026, while the number of operating breweries dropped 1.8% year over year.
Houston and nearby communities have felt that pressure firsthand, with Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, Fire Ant Brewing in Tomball and Platypus Brewing among the recent closures reported by Chron. For Houston families who treated City Acre as an easygoing weekend destination, the latest “permanently closed” label is one more empty taproom in a rapidly changing beer landscape.
