The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland, just outside Baltimore, will close its doors to the public on November 1, marking the end of an era for the iconic Irish beer brand in the United States. The decision is part of a broader $1 billion restructuring plan at Diageo, Guinness' parent company, which has seen some teams lose 20% to 30% of their staff.
The closure will leave 174 Aramark employees out of work, according to a notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on October 1. Since its opening in 2018, the brewery has welcomed over 2 million visitors, making it a popular destination for beer enthusiasts.
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery was the first to open in the US since the Irish beer maker's previous brewery in New York closed in 1954. The brewery's experimental portion allowed guests to create their own brews, resulting in over 700 unique beers created over the years.
Industry experts say changing trends in alcohol consumption likely played a role in the decision to close the brewery. Research has shown that US alcohol use has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more Americans alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Diageo has stated that the closure is not a reflection of the passion, talent, or dedication of its team, nor the support it has received from consumers and the Baltimore community. The company has committed to supporting affected colleagues through the transition and investing in the long-term growth and success of the Guinness brand.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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