Wico Street Beer Co. has announced the permanent closure of its taproom. After just three years in operation, the arcade-themed brewery will close its doors at the end of May. The brewery team cited rising costs and ongoing industry struggles as the key factors for closure.
Wico Street Beer Co. Announces Taproom Closure
Wico Street Beer Co. is a small, independent neighborhood brewery in Baltimore. Operated by cousins Mike and Jordan, the brewery is known as a lively neighborhood gathering spot with arcade-style décor.
It offers a variety of beers and specializes in sour IPAs and fruited sours. Popular offerings include Magic Number, Hella Steez, and Samson’s Hog. The space also features a variety of brand-new pinball machines and retro arcade games, including Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.
The brewery announced the closure through a social media post. The team wrote, “As much as we wanted a different ending, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our taproom at the end of this month.”
Reflecting on the brewery’s journey, the owner said, “Wico Street Beer Co. started as a dream between two cousins with a lot of hope, hard work, and grit.”
The brewery plans to remain open Fridays through Sundays until its final day.
In the post, the owner thanked the community for their support. They also mentioned staff and their customers and noted, “To our friends in the South Baltimore Brewery District, thank you for the collaboration, encouragement, and camaraderie. This scene is special because of the people in it, and we’re proud to have been part of it.”
The brewery encourages the community to visit and enjoy one last drink before its permanent closure.
Industry Challenges Lead to Shutdown
According to the official announcement, the owner highlighted the broader economic challenges in the craft beer industry as the reason for closure.
“As many of you know, the craft beer industry is facing immense challenges,” the owners stated. They also pointed to “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.”
“If there’s one thing we hope people take from this, it’s how important it is to support small, local businesses. Not just breweries, all of them,” the statement continued.
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Following the announcement of the closure, several fans of the brewery expressed their sadness on social media. One of the fans shared, “Pigtown is better because of you all and the fun, late-night (or game day) spot you gave our community! Sending you guys so much love and gratitude as you transition to your next adventure.”
As the Wico Street Beer Co. wraps up its business in Pigtown, it hopes to celebrate the final chapter of its journey with the community.
