The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland, just outside Baltimore, is shutting down for good. November 1 will be the last day the public can walk through its doors.
That closure leaves 174 Aramark employees out of work, according to a notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on October 1. Once the brewery closes, Guinness’s Chicago location will be the only one left in the United States.
The shutdown is part of a $1 billion restructuring effort at Diageo, Guinness’s parent company. Reuters reported in July that some teams at Diageo are losing 20% to 30% of their staff.
A Diageo spokesperson told Fox News Digital the decision wasn’t about the Baltimore team’s performance.
“This decision follows a careful review of our operations and long-term business priorities. It is not a reflection of the passion, talent or dedication of our team, nor of the support we have received from consumers and the Baltimore community since we opened our doors in 2018.”
The Halethorpe brewery opened in 2018 and was the first Guinness brewery to open in the U.S. since the company’s prior New York location closed in 1954. Since then, it has drawn more than 2 million visitors, according to a post on the brewery’s Facebook page. Guests there helped create over 700 experimental beers during the site’s run.
Derek Brown, of the Washington, D.C.-based hospitality consulting firm Drink Company, said the closure tracks with where Guinness’s actual money is made.
“It’s obviously a shame to see the Guinness brewery close in Maryland. However, I’m not surprised in the sense that their core product remains Guinness, and now Guinness Zero. The brewery focused on experimental products, which are interesting in themselves, but not necessarily primary drivers of Guinness’ business.”
Shifting drinking habits nationwide are also part of the backdrop. Fox News Digital has reported that U.S. alcohol consumption declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more drinkers mixing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in a pattern industry watchers call “zebra striping.”
Diageo says it will help the displaced workers through the transition.
“Our immediate focus is supporting affected colleagues through this transition. We are committed to treating our team members with respect and providing resources and assistance to help them navigate the change.”
The company maintains that Guinness itself isn’t going anywhere.
“Guinness remains one of our most important brands, and we are committed to investing in its long-term growth and success. While our Baltimore brewery will close, our commitment to bringing Guinness to consumers around the world remains as strong as ever.”
