A Wisconsin craft brewery ended regular operations on October 25 after nearly eight years, citing rising costs, weaker consumer spending and lasting economic pressure from the pandemic. The wind-down follows other recent brewing closures, including the shutdown of Guinness’s Maryland brewery and taproom.
Delta Beer Lab announced the decision on October 20. The brewery at 167 E. Badger Road in the Madison area planned limited hours during the week of October 26 to sell its remaining packaged beer, so the end of regular operations was followed by a short inventory sell-off rather than an immediate end to every customer visit.
Rising costs drained the brewery’s resources
Owner Tim “Pio” Piotrowski said the business never fully escaped the long-term economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ingredient, supply and freight costs climbed, while labor and other operating expenses also increased. At the same time, consumers pulled back on spending both nationally and locally…