Fans of craft beer may be disappointed to hear that a well-loved brewery in North Carolina has closed down after nearly a decade in business. Brüeprint Brewing Company, a small brewery known for its unique beer names and strong local presence, officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 9, 2025.
What Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means
Unlike Chapter 11, where a business can continue to operate while restructuring its finances, Chapter 7 bankruptcy means a company must close for good. All of its assets are sold to help repay what it owes to creditors. According to the legal filing, Brüeprint Brewing had around $1.78 million in debt and only between $100,000 to $1 million in assets.
The brewery is now listed as “permanently closed” on Google, confirming the end of its operations.
A Look Back at Brüeprint Brewing Company
Brüeprint Brewing started in April 2014 and was known for brewing at least 18 different beers with creative names like Pale Brüe Eyes, Brüenette, Brüe Scarlet Amber Ale, Edinbrüe Scotch Ale, and Midnight Brüe. The beers were served in restaurants across North Carolina and sold in major retail stores like Whole Foods, Total Wine & More, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, and Lowe’s Food.
In 2023, Brüeprint closed its original taproom and hinted at a new location with discounted beer and merchandise, but that plan never became reality.
Microbreweries Facing Industry-Wide Struggles
Brüeprint is just one of many smaller breweries struggling to survive in today’s tough market. Over the past decade, many microbreweries and distilleries opened across the U.S. While this was exciting at first, the market has now become overcrowded.
Some other companies have faced similar fates. Texas-based Alamo Beer Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in 2025, revealing that they were running at only 20% of their full capacity due to a drop in demand. Even large producers like Molson Coors shut down a major brewery in 2024.
Alcohol Sales Drop as Younger Adults Drink Less
One major reason breweries are hurting is because people are drinking less alcohol in general. Inflation and rising costs are also making things worse. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, the number of adults under 35 who drink alcohol dropped from 72% to 62% over the past 20 years.
A separate study by World Finance found that Gen Z drinks about 20% less than Millennials, further reducing demand for beer and alcoholic beverages.
It’s Not Just Breweries Filing for Bankruptcy
Breweries aren’t the only businesses having financial problems. Several popular retail brands are also closing stores and filing for bankruptcy.
Forever 21, the well-known fashion brand, filed for Chapter 11 again in March 2025. It’s now planning to close all its remaining stores. Clothing chain Express followed soon after in April 2025, announcing the shutdown of around 100 mall locations.
The closure of Brüeprint Brewing Company marks another sad moment for the craft beer industry, which is battling high costs, reduced alcohol consumption, and market saturation. As trends continue to shift and younger consumers drink less, many smaller breweries and even big brands are finding it harder to stay afloat. For now, fans of local beer can only hope that the industry finds new ways to survive and grow.