Guinness brewery that welcomed 2 million visitors closing its doors for good
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland, just outside Baltimore, will soon close, leaving the iconic Irish beer brand's Chicago brewery as its only U.S. location.
Nov. 1 will mark the brewery's final day open to the public, leaving 174 Aramark employees out of work, according to a notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor Oct. 1.
The move comes amid a $1 billion restructuring plan at Diageo, Guinness' parent company.
Some teams at Diageo are losing 20% to 30% of their staff, Reuters reported in July.
"This decision follows a careful review of our operations and long-term business priorities," a Diageo spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "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."
Since opening in 2018, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery has welcomed more than 2 million visitors, according to a post on its Facebook page.
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The brewery was the first to open in the U.S. since the Irish beer maker's previous brewery in New York closed in 1954, FOX Business reported at the time.
"It's obviously a shame to see the Guinness brewery close in Maryland," said Derek Brown of Drink Company, a Washington, D.C.-based hospitality consulting and events company.
"However, I'm not surprised in the sense that their core product remains Guinness, and now Guinness Zero," Brown told Fox News Digital. "The brewery focused on experimental products, which are interesting in themselves, but not necessarily primary drivers of Guinness' business."
The experimental portion of the brewery allowed guests to concoct their own brews, and more than 700 beers were created over the years, according to the brewery's Facebook post.
But changing trends in alcohol consumption likely played a role in the decision, industry experts say.
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New research shows that U.S. alcohol use has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News Digital recently reported.
Patrons enjoy a beer testing session at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore on March 9, 2020. (Photo by Sébastien DUVAL / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN DUVAL/AFP via Getty Images)
More Americans are also alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages — a practice known as "zebra striping" — partly contributing to the decline, according to experts.
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"Our immediate focus is supporting affected colleagues through this transition," a Diageo spokesperson said. "We are committed to treating our team members with respect and providing resources and assistance to help them navigate the change."
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The spokesperson added that 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."
Sadie Chafe is a writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
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