Michigan’s Fort Street Brewery To Close

 

“You’ve got so many people getting into the industry right now that it’s a dog-eat-dog world.”  – Ryan Walker / Fort Street Brewery

It’s a sign of the times that we are increasingly hearing about another brewery shutting its doors. Just last week we reported that two more San Diego breweries were closing and now a Detroit area craft brewery will be ending its 13-year run.

Here’s the deal…

According to The Detroit News Lincoln Park’s Fort Street Brewery will be shutting its doors at the end of the month the victim of years-long construction on I-75, a major Detroit area thruway, and an increasingly crowded craft beer marketplace.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has been rebuilding I-75 for more than two years leading to detours and complications that virtually put an end to Fort Street Brewery visitors from surrounding communities.

But the construction on I-75 wasn’t the only problem according to Fort Street’s Head Brewer, Pete Romain who told reporter Tom Gromak, the “when he started there were only about 40 or 50 craft brewers in the state….Now there are hundreds and people always want to go to the newest place.”

Romain, who hasn’t taken a salary in more than a year and took out loans to avoid bankruptcy has decided that it’s time to throw in the towel and will be joining the increasing number of craft breweries that have already closed their doors in 2018.