Tough economic times continue for Valley craft beer with The Beer Research Institute and Taproom-120 announcing their impending closures.
Beer Research Institute
BRI, Mesa’s oldest craft brewery, announced Saturday that Sunday would be its final day on the southeast corner of Stapley and the U.S. 60.
‘‘It’s been an amazing 10 years serving the residents of Mesa and beyond,’’ the brew pub posted on social media. ‘‘And like all great stories, ours is coming to an end. … Join us today and tomorrow for a last meal and a last round at BRI.’’
The only silver lining is BRI’s taproom and arcade in downtown Mesa will remain in operation, according to owner Matt Trethewey.
Taproom-120
Taproom-120, which opened in December 2022 on the northwest corner of Power and the Loop 202 in southeast Gilbert, also announced its own goodbye bash would take place Sunday.
The taproom and live-music venue also has struggled in recent months, leading to a split between co-owners Matt Poltash and Maegann Yarbrough.
A 10-band punk and heavy metal show, originally billed as a ‘‘Save Taproom-120’’ concert, now will serve as its last hurrah Sunday.
The all-day event starts at noon. There’s a $20 cover with the money going to a local animal rescue group.
Other recent closures
The two closures are just the latest for the Valley’s craft beer community.
In December, Uncle Bear’s closed its large production brewery and restaurant in Gilbert.
Huss Brewing shuttered its uptown Phoenix taproom and restaurant and closed its sibling Papago Brewing taproom at Mesa Riverview last month.
Look Dine-In Cinemas, which brewed its own beers on-site, also shut down last month in downtown Chandler.
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