Brewery closures are stacking up again this fall, and three more taprooms have set their final dates. Nine Maidens Brewing in Rochester, N.Y., pours its last pints Nov. 14. Timnath Beerwerks closes its Fort Collins taproom Nov. 1, and Brick Box Brewery in downtown Tucson shuts Nov. 29.
Brewery closures at a glance
Only one of the three gave a detailed reason. Here’s what each brewery has said, when you can still visit and where the news came from.
| Brewery | Location | Last day | Reason given |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Maidens Brewing | 1344 University Ave., Rochester, N.Y. | Nov. 14 (Mug Club party Nov. 15) | Shifting consumer habits, rising costs |
| Timnath Beerwerks (Fort Collins taproom) | 225 N. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, Colo. | Nov. 1 | None reported |
| Brick Box Brewery | 220 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Ariz. | Nov. 29 | None given |
Sources: Cleveland Prost, the Coloradoan via ProBrewer, and Tucson Foodie.
These brewery closures join a long list of last calls we’ve tracked this fall, and all three taprooms are still pouring for now.
Nine Maidens Brewing closes in Rochester after seven years
Owners Zeb and Emily Zimmerman opened Nine Maidens on University Avenue in 2019. According to Cleveland Prost, the brewery will pour its last pints Nov. 14 and throw a final party for Mug Club members Nov. 15. Its lease at 1344 University Ave. runs out Nov. 30, and the couple decided not to sign another.
In their announcement, the Zimmermans cited a shift in consumer habits, the rising cost of doing business and the rising cost of living. Zeb told Cleveland Prost, “It’s the right time, honestly.” He also didn’t want the closing read as a verdict on Rochester beer: “I don’t want this to be an indictment on the industry. If anything, it’s an indictment on my business model.”
Behind the brewery closures: a one-barrel dream
Nine Maidens started tiny on purpose. Zeb left a law-firm job, built a one-barrel system himself with parts bought over 18 months, and opened what Cleveland Prost calls Monroe County’s smallest brewery at the time. The brewery later moved up to a two-barrel system and, by Zeb’s estimate, made more than 100 different beers and seltzers.
That constant rotation was part of the charm and, he now says, part of the problem. “Now people aren’t looking for a rotating tap list, they’re looking for flagships and consistency,” he said. Family weighed in too. The Zimmermans have two young daughters, and Zeb said, “I’d rather have nights and weekends with her,” speaking about his youngest.
Timnath Beerwerks closes its Fort Collins taproom
Timnath Beerwerks is closing the Fort Collins taproom it took over in 2024. The Coloradoan reported that the brewery said on social media its location at 225 N. Lemay Ave. would serve its final customers Nov. 1, with operations shifting exclusively to Timnath. The report was relayed by ProBrewer, which notes the brewery didn’t give a reason.
The brewery’s Fort Collins website says the company was founded in 2018 and expanded to Fort Collins in July 2024 through the acquisition of Snowbank Brewing. The original Timnath taproom, at 4138 Main St., stays open. If you want a farewell pint on Lemay, that’s Sunday, Nov. 1.
Brick Box Brewery closes in downtown Tucson
Brick Box Brewery announced on social media that it will close Nov. 29, Tucson Foodie reported. The taproom sits at 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in the space Thunder Canyon Brewery occupied for 27 years. Brick Box didn’t give a reason and didn’t say what happens to the space or to upcoming events.
“We want to thank all of you that have contributed and shared the space with us over the years,” the brewery wrote, signing off with “We love you Tucson.” Former Thunder Canyon general manager James Owens and former head brewer Michael Nixon relaunched the space as Brick Box with partner Steve Tracy, holding a grand opening on May 1, 2024. It became known for live music, local art, food pop-ups and an in-house root beer. Tucson Foodie lists typical hours as 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Friday and noon to midnight on weekends.
For more of this year’s shutdowns, see our report on the Chandler Street breweries closing in Buffalo.
FAQ
Last calls worth making
Each of these is a small, local taproom, and each one is giving regulars time to say goodbye. Fort Collins drinkers have until Sunday. Rochester has two weeks, and Tucson has the rest of November.
If one of them is in your orbit, go now, order a pint and thank whoever’s behind the bar.
Transmission complete.
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