Headlines

Scofflaw’s 9th: A Rogue Rewind Through Pics

A look back at Scofflaw Brewing in photos on their 9th Anniversary

Atlanta’s beer scene wasn’t ready for Scofflaw Brewing. From a basement in 2016, New York executive Matt Shirah and pharmaceutical expat Travis Herman unleashed a brewery that rewrote the Continue Reading →

Posted in Coming Soon, Headlines, New Holland Brewing

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Rolls a d20 with more Dungeons & Dragons releases

New Holland Brewing & Distilling Co. is expanding its Dungeons & Dragons collaboration lineup this November, continuing to prove that beer and dragons (and dungeons) is a perfect match.

The Michigan brewery announced this week that both D20 Brew and Mead Cask Bourbon will return to shelves starting November 8, each packaged with enough dragon-themed collectibles to make your quest rewards even more desirable.

This marks the latest chapter in what is officially a full-fledged partnership between New Holland and Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast. As we covered in August, the collaboration kicked off in 2024 to celebrate D&D’s 50th anniversary with a Coconut Rum Barrel Reserve, followed by the high-octane D20 Brew at 20% ABV. This year’s Dragon Turtle release continued the narrative with another coconut rum barrel-aged stout and now the brewery is circling back to bring fan favorites out of the vault.

What’s in the Barrel

D20 Brew leads the charge—a bourbon barrel-aged stout that pays homage to silver dragons from D&D lore. The beer hits retail nationwide November 8, but besides the boozy prize in the bottle, the release includes a D20 Dice Tower Set, which packages the stout inside a custom dice tower complete with special-edition dice. That collector’s edition drops at New Holland brewpubs November 8 and online November 17.

For the spirits crowd, the Mead Cask Bourbon Gift Set returns with Dragon’s Milk Bourbon finished in mead casks. This black dragon-themed release comes boxed with a custom pour spout and exclusive D&D packaging, available at the same locations and dates as the dice tower set.

New Holland Mead Finished Bourbon
New Holland Dragon’s Milk Origin

“Our collaboration with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has allowed us to craft unique offerings that bring fans together at the table in new and memorable ways. The return of D20 and Mead Cask Bourbon is a celebration of community, storytelling, and the legendary experiences that both brands inspire.” said Brett VanderKamp, CEO and founder, New Holland

Last year’s inaugural partnership sold out quite quickly, and these limited editions are sure to do so as well. The collaboration between Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast and New Holland proves that sometimes the best campaigns happen when two completely different worlds meet at the tavern.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Wax Dipped.
Debut: 11/8/25

20% ABV

Ed. Note: Beer Street Journal humbly requests a New Holland/Magic the Gathering collab next…

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Headlines, Molson Coors

Coors & Wrangler drop a new clothing line complete with horseback delivery

Eleven-piece collaboration brings Western grit to Canadian closets with unique “Cowboy Courier” experience

In America it’s called Banquet Beer. In Canada? It’s called Coors Original. Either way, Coors it expanding their partnership with iconic denim brand Wrangler north of the border, launching an exclusive 11-piece capsule collection for the Canadian market that comes with an unconventional delivery option: on horseback.

Coors Original x Wrangler Collection launches October 1st, marking the latest chapter in a partnership that began with last year’s Beer Wash Jeans—denim actually washed in Coors beer (on a long enough timeline, all our jeans kind of wind up beer washed…) For this drop, the brands are expanding their Western-inspired collaboration with a full apparel line for all your fashion needs.

A Unique Delivery Experience

Meet the “Cowboy Courier,” a truly unique experience developed by Zeno Group Canada. Fans buying items in this new clothing line (coorsoriginal.ca/wrangler)can choose delivery by standard mail, cowboy, or cowgirl— meaning there is a chance their order could arrive in real Western style, delivered by someone on horseback.

Amazon – it’s time to up your game.

The Lineup

The 11-piece capsule blends Wrangler’s western accents with Coors Original (Banquet for the American readers.) The collection features embroidered denim jackets, retro-esque graphic tees and hats, and other Western wear staples reimagined with co-branded details.

While specific pieces haven’t been fully revealed ahead of the October 1 launch, the collaboration follows the template set by the brands’ successful U.S. Wrangler x Coors Banquet collection released in August.

The limited-edition Coors Original x Wrangler Collection will be available exclusively online at coorsoriginal.ca/wrangler as of October 1 at 11 a.m. ET.

It’s not every day your denim jacket arrives on horseback. Yee-haw, eh?

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Iron Hill Brewing

Iron Hill Brewery Shuts Down All Locations After Earlier Pledge to Close Only Three

Just weeks after announcing the closure of three locations including their original build, Iron Hill has announced a full shutdown.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant announced the immediate closure of all its remaining locations on Thursday, just two weeks after company leadership assured stakeholders that only three underperforming sites would be shuttered. The dramatic reversal caught employees and customers off guard, with staff receiving termination notices via email citing “ongoing financial challenges” and the company’s decision to file for bankruptcy. The closure affects all 16 locations across five states—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, and Georgia—ending a 29-year run that began with a single brewpub in Newark, Delaware.

The abrupt about-face comes after CEO Mark Kirke struck an optimistic tone just 15 days earlier, describing the September 10 closure of three locations in Newark, Chestnut Hill, and Voorhees as “part of a larger growth story” aimed at “strengthening our brand and positioning Iron Hill for long-term success.” The company had emphasized that 16 locations would “remain open and serving guests,” with Kirke stating the closures were necessary adaptations “to a changing business landscape.” The brewery announced the final closure on Instagram and Facebook with a brief message: “It has been our pleasure to serve you, and we are deeply grateful for your support, friendship, and loyalty over the years,” while internal communications revealed that management had been working behind the scenes to secure funding while publicly maintaining confidence in the brand’s future.

Iron Hill’s sudden collapse mirrors the broader crisis facing craft brewing, exemplified by 21st Amendment Brewery’s closure earlier this month after 25 years of operations. The Bay Area pioneer, once ranked among the nation’s top 50 craft breweries by volume, shuttered both its San Francisco taproom and San Leandro production facility when its financial lender withdrew support, citing industry-wide challenges and the company’s ongoing “cash bleed.”

Both closures underscore the harsh reality facing established craft brewers as sales have declined approximately 20% annually since 2021, with younger consumers (with seemingly zero brand loyalty) gravitating toward hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and lower-alcohol alternatives and the growth of THC drinks.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Galleries, Headlines, Scofflaw Brewing Co.

Scofflaw’s 9th: A Rogue Rewind Through Pics

A look back at Scofflaw Brewing in photos on their 9th Anniversary

Atlanta’s beer scene wasn’t ready for Scofflaw Brewing. From a basement in 2016, New York executive Matt Shirah and pharmaceutical expat Travis Herman unleashed a brewery that rewrote the rules with bold beers, brash attitude, and goat-stamped branding.

Basement IPA quickly took over taps citywide, challenging heavyweights like SweetWater and Creature Comforts. By 2018, Scofflaw’s new 18,000-square-foot Westside brewery fueled growth, earning national acclaim. Shirah and Herman never looked back, expanding taprooms and brewing whatever they damn well pleased.

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Scofflaw doesn’t ask for forgiveness—it just keeps moving forward. This weekend, they celebrate their 9th anniversary at their MacArthur Boulevard taproom, that boasts an AstroTurf lot, sport courts, a jumbotron for football Saturdays, and, of course, big beers.

The golf-themed bash introduces “The Back Nine,” a barrel-aged stout packed with chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and ancho and guajillo chilis – a spicy beer for a hot September Saturday in Atlanta. Expect food trucks, bourbon, hemp drinks, and a mini golf course.

Since 2016, we’ve captured Scofflaw’s journey through photos: early brew days, Basement IPA canning, a chat with the artist behind the iconic goats, Brewdog’s tv show filming, and the folks driving the brewery’s rise.

Cheers to 9, Goats.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brewery Closures, Headlines, Iron Hill Brewing

Iron Hill Brewery Closes Three Locations Including Original Newark Flagship

Mid-Atlantic brewpub chain shuts down restaurants in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as industry consolidation accelerates

Iron Hill Brewery delivered shocking news to employees and customers yesterday morning, announcing the immediate closure of three locations including its flagship Newark, Delaware brewpub that launched the company nearly 30 years ago. The sudden shutdowns affect restaurants in Newark, Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood, and Voorhees, New Jersey, leaving 16 locations still operating across the Mid-Atlantic region.

part of what CEO Mark Kirke called “ongoing efforts to adapt to a changing business landscape while focusing on strengthening its long-term growth and success.”

The End of an Era

The Newark closure represents a particularly poignant in the history of Iron Hill. The Main Street location would have turned 30 in 2026 and has long served as the “proof-of-concept” when three home brewers—Kevin Finn, Mark Edelson, and Kevin Davies launched the brewery in 1996.

By 2016 in Iron Hill’s 20th year, they had a dozen restaurants, evolving from Main Street in Newark into a regional chain with scratch kitchen and craft beers. Over the past decade, Iron Hill has expanded beyond the Mid-Atlantic region in Greenville, South Carolina, and two locations in Atlanta, including Buckhead that was since closed.

Industry Pressures Mount

The beer industry is still going through a financial overhaul. 21st Amendment announced their closure in the past week after 25 years. As for Iron Hill, the brewery closed locations in Ardmore and Phoenixville PA last year. The company hired a new CEO earlier this year who focusing on growth, efficiency and difficult decisions about underperforming locations.

As Beer Street Journal has reported in the past, the craft beer industry has faced unprecedented headwinds in 2025. U.S. craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels in 2024, down 4% from 2023, marking the largest volume decline since the 2020 pandemic. Closures outpace openings nationwide for the first time in 2024, ending a run since 2005.

Down but not out

Despite these closures, Iron Hill states they are still dedicated the the brewery and brand at large. “While we are closing a few locations, this is truly part of a larger growth story—we are evolving, strengthening our brand, and positioning Iron Hill for long-term success,” said Mark Kirke, CEO of Iron Hill.

Iron Hill announced it would open its 20th restaurant on Temple University’s campus back in December, with the project being approved by Temple’s board of Trustees. Nothing more has been announced about that project going forward.

Location Losses

The three closing locations closing:

  • Newark, Delaware (147 East Main Street): The original flagship location where Iron Hill’s journey began in 1996
  • Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia (8400 Germantown Avenue): Opened in 2012 in an upscale neighborhood market
  • Voorhees, New Jersey (13107 Town Center Boulevard): Iron Hill’s 10th location, opened in 2013 in a suburban shopping center

Iron Hill Brewery has 16 locations left after the recent closures. Below are pictures from the media preview of Iron Hill Buckhead by Beer Street Journal.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in 21st Amendment Brewing, Beer News, Brewery Closures, Headlines

21st Amendment Brewery Shuts Down After 25 Years

Bay Area craft beer pioneer 21st Amendment to close both San Francisco brewpub and San Leandro production facility by November

In a stunning turn of events that is sure to shake the craft beer industry, 21st Amendment Brewery has announced it will permanently cease operations after 25 years in business. The San Francisco-born brewery, known for iconic beers like Hell or High Watermelon Wheat and Brew Free! or Die IPA, will shutter both its original Second Street brewpub near Oracle Park and its massive San Leandro production facility by early November.

The closure comes just one week after co-founders Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia announced they were stepping back from daily operations to bring in a new CEO as part of an ambitious partnership aimed at diversifying beyond beer production. Those plans collapsed when the brewery’s financial lender withdrew support, citing the company’s ongoing “cash bleed” and beer industry-wide downturn.

“The brewery’s lender informed them that it would no longer fund the company due to its ‘cash bleed,’ prompting the decision to close.”

Rough Waters

21st Amendment’s demise reflects a confluence of factors hammering craft breweries nationwide. Sales have dropped approximately 20% every year since 2021, according to co-founder Freccia, who spoke with multiple media outlets about the closure. T

The brewery, which ranked among the nation’s top 50 craft producers by volume from 2016 to 2019, has struggled to maintain relevance as consumer preferences shift toward hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and lower-alcohol alternatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved particularly devastating for 21st Amendment. Distribution partnerships dissolved, including a key relationship with Brooklyn Brewery that had enabled national expansion. A dispute with a can supplier further constrained operations, forcing the brewery onto allocation-only basis for shipping. Meanwhile, the San Francisco brewpub has operated at just 40% of pre-pandemic capacity.

The 95.000 square foot San Leandro facility opened in 2015 in a former Kellogg’s cereal factory, at a time when craft beer was growing double digits annually.

The Legacy

Founded in 2000 during San Francisco’s dot-com boom, 21st Amendment helped pioneer the craft-beer-in-cans movement that would later sweep the industry. The brewery’s Second Street location, positioned strategically near what was then the new Pac Bell Park, became a watering hole for Giants fans and beer fans alike.

The San Leandro expansion represented 21st Amendments growing ambitions, with capacity to produce more than 375,000 barrels annually and room to even double that. At its peak, 21st Amendment ranked as the 26th largest craft brewery in the country by volume, per the Brewers Association.

Will There Be A Savior?

The founders remain hopeful that a buyer will emerge to continue 21st Amendment into the future. The brewery is actively seeking purchasers for either the brand, the facilities, or both. However, recent history suggests such rescues are increasingly rare in the current market environment – especially using Anchor Brewing that hasn’t found a sustainable paths forward after ownership changes.

The San Francisco brewpub is expected to close first, possibly as early as September 28 to coincide with the Giants’ final regular season home game. The San Leandro facility will wind down production over the next 60 days, with November 4 marked as the official closure date.

21st Amendment’s closure represents another significant loss for San Francisco’s once-thriving craft beer scene, joining recent casualties including Anchor Brewing, City Beer Store, and Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company. For an industry that once seemed unstoppable, the shuttering of such a prominent player serves as a sobering reminder of how dramatically the landscape has shifted in just a few short years.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, Headlines, Seasonal Return

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, lagered in Cabernet barrels returns

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is back for 2025, signaling the transition from summer to fall.

First debuting in 2006, Oaktoberfest has become a cherished seasonal tradition for the brewery. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team use all-German ingredients in the recipe and lager the beer in Napa Valley wine barrels (hence the name Oaktoberfest). This year, the beer was lagered in French oak barrels that previously aged Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery. According to the brewery, the oak lagering “creates an even smoother texture while staying true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.”

It may be coincidental, but Firestone Walker’s home of Paso Robles, California, ties in beautifully. “Paso Robles” translates to “Pass of the Oaks,” a nod to the abundant oak trees in the region. This connection complements the city’s reputation for wine production and the Oaktoberfest name.

This year, Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnanger, Hersbrucker
Malts: Vienna, Weyermann Pilsner, Cara Red

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal release.
Latest Return: Mid-August, 2025

5.2% ABV

Image: Firestone Walker 

ED NOTE: If any readers know of a retailer will ship Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, contact us. Be sure to scroll down the page for the form, we are having some coding issues on that page)

by Reid Ramsay