DuClaw and River Horse Merging

“Dave is thrilled to transition the production responsibilities to the team in Ewing, NJ…”

So, it appears the brewery in MD will be closed?

Cheers!

P.S. Just another example of consolidation in the craft beer industry.

 

Makes you wonder if we're on the verge of some sort of shift or something else going on...this is the third one local to mid atlantic in just a few months I believe, if I'm counting them correct:

1. Cape May/Flying Fish
2. FX Matt/Flying Dog
3. Riverhorse/Duclaw

Wonder if this is happening other parts of the country too?

 

That's what the sub-header says in this local Baltimore business publication (behind paywall).
Maryland brewing company to end production in state after acquisition as well as noting

 

It's just the latest news to rock Maryland's beer scene, with Flying Dog's acquisition last month by a New York Brewery, and the beloved Guinness Open Gate Brewery announcing the closure of its manufacturing facility in Baltimore County.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/marylands-duclaw-brewing-acquired-by-new-jersey-company/

 

Could the restrictions in Maryland possibly be worse than they are in NJ? Is that a factor in two of MD’s larger and more well know breweries being bought?

 

Regulations and permits etc could be part of it. I know a guy considering opening a brewery for a few years and said Maryland (and a particular county) has been awful but Pennsylvania is welcoming with open arms and a lot less red tape. Only thing more restrictive about PA is you need to keep your brewing area completely seperate from your serving taproom area. But a lot could be county by county and not state by state.

 

Reality is that DuClaw has been spinning its tires for a long time and has made some iffy choices to keep up with the times. I get closing up the brewpubs but they would have had a killer potential for a tap room. I remember going up there for the retribution series. They could have done so much. Relic of the past. I remember going to river horse and I liked them. Haven't been there since the latest rebrand.

edit: reality is that both big breweries (DuClaw and Flying Dog) have been lackluster and just swirling the drain. Nothing to offer the communities they were in. These things usually come down to management. Always does.