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Saugatuck Brewing Company closes Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo taprooms

Creston Brewery
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The brewer cites challenging times in the craft beer industry

Monday, Saugatuck Brewing Company announced the closure of its Creston Brewery effective immediately. The brewer also stated that its Kalamazoo taproom, which closed in August 2024 due to a fire, would not reopen.

Saugatuck Brewing Company opened in 2005 and operates as an independently owned craft brewery with a distribution footprint encompassing 13 states and seven countries.

The brewer purchased Creston Brewery on Plainfield Avenue in April 2021. The Kalamazoo taproom opened in April 2023 on Michigan Avenue.

In a release, CEO John Miller stated, “… in today’s evolving industry, we’re making the difficult choice to shift our focus toward growing our presence through distribution.” The announcement did not specify what challenges led to the taprooms’ closure or how many employees were losing their jobs because of it. A spokesperson for the company said Miller was not giving interviews.

The brewery’s Douglas location on Blue Star Highway will remain open.

Dave joined WGVU Public Media in November of 2023 after eighteen years as a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Emmy-nominated photojournalist and editor at Grand Rapids' WOOD TV8 and three years at WEYI TV25 in Flint, Michigan. As a General Assignment Reporter, Dave covers daily news and community events all over West Michigan.
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