Maryland Brewery Closures: 2026
The landscape of the beer industry across the country and Maryland continues to shift. While the Brewers Association 2025 Midyear Report shows the number of breweries in the United States is on the decline (-1% mid-year 2025) and the volume of beer is down some 5% year-over-year, we have seen similar trends in Maryland beer. It is difficult to learn when long-time establishments that we have come to love have closed their doors. But at the same time, there are new breweries coming on the scene in nearly every corner of Maryland. So, go forward, there are still great taprooms to be explored and beer enjoyed.
This entry will be updated throughout 2026.
The Brewer’s Art Closes February 2
After three decades as a cornerstone of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, The Brewer’s Art permanently closed its doors on February 2, 2026, leaving employees and the local community stunned.
The closure was announced abruptly via text message from owner Volker Stewart, who informed staff that the business could no longer continue due to financial strain.
Idiom Closing February 15
We have reported on Idiom over the past months, first their exit from its production brewery, and then owner Mike Clements’ search for a buyer for the brewery. And now, it’s announced closure. Mike shared on the Idiom social media the heartfelt news with Idiom staff and friends.
“We want to go out the way we came in, surrounded by friends. We’ll be open through 2/15/2026.”
Saints Row Closes April 30… But Wait
THE BAD NEWS - We just reported in Maryland Beer Updates: April 2026 that Saints Row Brewing Announces Closing. Going back to the end of 2025, the owners of Saints Row Brewing in Gaithersburg, MD, would be leaving the brewery, and they were looking for new owners. It would remain open through April 30.
THE MYSTERY - “Saints Row will return in a few months after a brief closure while there is a transition in ownership.”
THE GOOD NEWS - On a 2026.05.11 social media post, Saints Row revealed… “Thank you for it all! One chapter closes, and another pours on.”
“These walls have held years of memories, laughter, late nights, and countless beers shared with friends who became family. While one era of this brewery comes to an end, we’re proud to keep the taps flowing as it’s taken over by the very staff who helped make it feel like home all along. Same heart. Same community. New beginning.”
The Saints Row staff have purchased the brewery.
Lillard and Daughters Farms Stops Brewing in May
Lillard and Daughters stops brewing, announcing on social media. “So it is with a sad heart but an eye for what’s next that we announce we have made our final beer delivery to @theslicehouse_leonardtown. It’s fitting since this is the first place we sold our beer in November of 2020. And most of all, thank you. Without you, the last 5 1/2 years would not have been possible. There really isn’t a better community than St. Mary’s County, and you all support local. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you all, and who knows what the future holds!”
Wico Street Beer Closed in May
The message was that the last weekend of May would be their last, or until “the beer ran out”. “Wico Street Beer Co. started as a dream between two cousins with a lot of hope, hard work, and grit. We set out to build a place rooted in community, good beer, and genuine connection, and for a while, we really did that. As many of you know, the craft beer industry is facing immense challenges. Rising costs, changing consumer habits, and an increasingly difficult sales landscape have made it incredibly hard for small, independent breweries to survive even when they’re doing everything they can. As much as we wanted a different ending, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our taproom at the end of this month. That said, what we’re walking away with is far more than we ever expected.” Mike Richardson & Jordan McGraw
