最新杏吧原创

鈥淎fter 15-and-a-half years of riding the roller coasters of ups and downs, and facing challenges and adversities at every corner; we came to the sad realization that we just couldn鈥檛 continue any longer,鈥� said Ferguson Brewing Co. in a social media post. Its last day of service will be Dec. 20.

Owner Robb Wiesen told the Post-Dispatch that the brewery鈥檚 impending closure was an 鈥渁ccumulation of multiple aspects.鈥� He said people are drinking less alcohol, product costs have increased and that it鈥檚 tough to compete with others right now.

When Ferguson Brewing Co. opened in 2010, Wiesen said, there were only a handful of other craft breweries in 最新杏吧原创. Since then the number reached over 50.

鈥淭he craft beer scene reached its bubble and there鈥檚 not as much interest as there once was,鈥� Wiesen said. 鈥淒efinitely the market probably got a little saturated.鈥�

Across the 最新杏吧原创 region craft brewers have slowly been shuttering over the past few years as a result of shifting consumer preferences, high operating costs and challenging economic factors. Earthbound in south 最新杏吧原创 closed last year while Freestyle Brew Co. in Eureka and Schlafly鈥檚 Bankside location in St. Charles both closed in January. Wellspent Brewing Co. in Midtown shuttered this summer.

Last year, O鈥橣allon Brewery quietly ceased operations, eventually auctioning off its equipment after filing for bankruptcy. Urban Chestnut also filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024, but was bought by Ladue-based company Keg Holdings for $2.55 million this year, saving the business from closure.

Charles Granger, of Chesterfield, was finishing his strawberry salad Friday afternoon at Ferguson Brewing Co. He said he鈥檚 been eating at the joint since it opened and liked it because it鈥檚 close to where he works at the University of Missouri.

Granger was surprised to learn that the brewery was closing.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 terrible,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here aren鈥檛 many other options, not around here unfortunately.鈥�

Outside on the patio, father-son duo John and Larry Knowles, both of Ferguson, were finishing up their lunch.

The older Knowles, John, said he鈥檚 been going to Ferguson Brewing Co. for a weekly lunch for years. He was a mail carrier in the neighborhood for 20 years.

鈥淚t鈥檒l leave a hole in the neighborhood,鈥� John Knowles said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sad to see the little breweries go.鈥�

Larry Knowles worked as a dishwasher in the restaurant a decade ago and was surprised when their server told them the business would close in December.

But, he said, the economy is causing financial strain for businesses, especially following COVID. 鈥淵oung people don鈥檛 have a lot of money to throw around.鈥�

Brewery owner Wiesen said he listed the business for sale earlier this year but couldn鈥檛 find a buyer. However, he found a buyer for the building, a two-story brick structure on the northeast corner of South Florissant Road and Suburban Avenue.

Though Wiesen would not give more details on the new business, he said it would be similar to Ferguson Brewing Co. More release information on the new owners鈥� plans will be released next week, according to Ferguson Brewing Co.鈥檚 social media post.

鈥淚t may not be FBC but we鈥檙e excited about someone breathing new life into this beautiful building!鈥� the post reads. 鈥淲e鈥檙e confident they鈥檒l be successful in creating a new space for the community to gather for many more years to come鈥︹��

Ferguson Brewing Co. opened as Hill Brewing Co. in April 2010. Located at 418 South Florissant Road, the brewery runs on a 20-barrel system that has the capacity to maintain eight year-round selections and rotating seasonal beers, the company鈥檚 website reads. In 2015, an overnight fire gutted the kitchen, though no one was injured.

It is one of the few breweries in north 最新杏吧原创 along with Griesedieck Brothers Brewing in Baden and Narrow Gauge Brewing in Florissant.

Wiesen said that after the brewery closes he will focus on his other business, 1860 Public House, a restaurant in Red Bud, Illinois. He said he and the folks at Ferguson Brewing Co. are thankful for all the support they鈥檝e been receiving since the closure announcement.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been an emotional day,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of kind words.鈥�