World of Beer’s East Valley locations close, or maybe just one, or maybe neither

For weeks, rumors have been swirling round the Valley’s craft beer scene about the impending closure of World of Beer locations in Tempe and Gilbert.

Now, they may be closed. Or maybe one is. Or maybe neither. It’s hard to tell.

The two locations open at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, so we may not know until then. Here’s what we do know:

In the last 18 months, Florida-based World of Beer has experienced at least a dozen sudden closures among its 70-plus franchises around the country.

A few days ago, the national chain removed all three Arizona franchises (there’s another in Tucson) from its website. They also disappeared from the chain’s mobile app.

All three Arizona locations have taken down their Facebook pages.

Google lists the Tempe location as “permanently closed,” but not the Gilbert one. New Times reports today the Tempe location has closed, but the Gilbert one will ‘‘transition’’ into something else.

However, employees at the Tempe location say they were selling beer as usual last night and had not been told the location is closing.

If you have a WOB gift card, you better use it today.