For a decade, Whiner Beer Company has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, brewing up barrel-aged sours and farmhouse-style ales that drew both locals and beer aficionados from across the city. But as the calendar turns to March 2026, the brewery is preparing to close its doors for good, a move that’s sending ripples through Chicago’s craft beer community and beyond.
Whiner Beer Company’s final day of service will be Sunday, March 29, 2026, as confirmed in a series of social media announcements and local news reports. The brewery, located at 1400 W. 46th Street inside The Plant—a well-known food business incubator—will also host a last community gathering on March 28, giving patrons one more chance to enjoy its unique brews and bid farewell to a neighborhood fixture.
"It’s a familiar story in the brewing industry," wrote co-founder Brian Taylor in the company’s heartfelt social media post, echoing a sentiment that’s become all too common among small brewers. "The last few years have been so difficult, but we gave it our best shot. We could write a bunch of reasons why we are closing, but it’s a familiar story in the brewing industry." According to Block Club Chicago and The Street, Taylor also thanked customers, employees, and partners, adding, "Back of the Yards is our home and we will miss the neighborhood the most. From the Covid years to the ICE raids, Back of the Yards showed how resilient a community could be."
Whiner Beer Company’s closure is not an isolated incident. The craft beer industry has been in a tailspin since 2023, with the Brewers Association reporting a record 385 brewery closures that year—an unprecedented figure for the sector. The trend only worsened; by mid-December 2025, closures had climbed to 434, while only 268 new breweries opened, according to Brewbound. Craft beer volume dropped about 4% in 2024 and a further 5% in 2025, as reported by Craft Brewing Business. In Chicago alone, other beloved breweries like Alarmist Brewing and Illuminated Brew Works have recently closed or announced plans to shutter.
Whiner Beer Company’s story mirrors many of the challenges facing the industry. Before the pandemic, Whiner enjoyed steady annual growth of 20% to 30%. The brewery’s innovative approach—mixing Belgian and French brewing traditions with creative, mixed-fermentation techniques—earned it a loyal following. Flagship beers like Le Tub, a blended, barrel-aged wild farmhouse saison, and Miaou, a dry-hopped Belgian wheat, became local favorites. The taproom also offered a rotating menu of specialty beers, including Bubble Tub (with watermelon), Bleu Tub (with blueberries), and El Tub (with lime and cucumber), as well as hard kombucha drinks like Polly and Flamingo Prince.
But the pandemic changed everything. According to Block Club Chicago, Whiner Beer Company had "not seen a year of growth" since Covid-19 struck. Distribution volume, once a mainstay of the business, "dropped considerably" by the end of 2024, forcing the company to rely more heavily on taproom sales. However, those revenues weren’t enough to cover the rising costs of labor, space, and equipment. In a bid to stay afloat, Whiner even began contract brewing for other brands and brought in SomosMonos Cerveceria, a woman- and Mexican-owned startup, to help diversify taproom offerings and attract new customers.
Yet, even these efforts could not counteract the broader market forces at play. The Back of the Yards neighborhood faced its own unique challenges. In late summer and early fall of 2025, immigration enforcement activity—specifically ICE raids—caused a sharp downturn in local foot traffic. Taylor described the resulting atmosphere to Block Club Chicago as turning the taproom into a "ghost town." The brewery’s struggles weren’t just about beer; they were about the changing fabric of a community under economic and social pressure.
The announcement of Whiner’s closure has drawn an outpouring of support and nostalgia from regulars, local brewers, and industry observers. Many recall the taproom’s role as a creative hub, a place for special releases, live events, and a welcoming atmosphere. "From our taproom regulars on the South Side to our Le Tub fans on the North Side, we are so thankful for your support," Taylor wrote in his farewell message. The brewery’s distinctive illustrated labels—often featuring whimsical cats—became a recognizable part of Chicago’s craft beer landscape.
Whiner’s shutdown is also a sign of the times for Chicago’s craft beer scene. According to Eater Chicago, the closure marks the third such announcement by a local brewery in recent weeks alone. The cluster of closures underscores the mounting pressures facing small brewers: pandemic-era disruptions, shifting consumer habits, and escalating costs. For Back of the Yards, Whiner’s departure means the loss of a cultural anchor and a gathering place that helped put the neighborhood on the craft beer map.
Looking ahead, the fate of Whiner Beer Company’s space and equipment remains uncertain. An online auction for the brewery’s 30-barrel brewhouse equipment is already scheduled on BidSpotter, suggesting that the physical assets may soon find new homes. There’s also speculation about whether SomosMonos Cerveceria—or another operator—might step in to continue brewing at the site, though no concrete plans have been announced.
In the meantime, Whiner Beer Company is planning several events throughout its final month, culminating in the farewell celebration on March 28. Patrons are encouraged to visit, share memories, and raise a glass to a decade of innovation, resilience, and community spirit. For many, it’s a bittersweet goodbye to a beloved institution and a stark reminder of the challenges facing small businesses in today’s rapidly changing economy.
As Whiner Beer Company pours its last pints, the legacy it leaves behind—of creativity, collaboration, and neighborhood pride—will linger long after the taps run dry.