Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Maryland to Close on November 1

<p>The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland, located near Baltimore, will close on November 1, 2026. This closure will leave the brewery in Chicago as the only U.S. location for the Guinness brand.</p><p>The closure will affect 174 employees of Aramark, as indicated in a notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on October 1, 2026.</p><p>This decision is part of a $1 billion restructuring plan by Diageo, the parent company of Guinness.</p><p>According to a report by Reuters in July, some teams at Diageo are facing staff reductions of 20% to 30%.</p><p>A spokesperson for Diageo stated, "This decision follows a careful review of our operations and long-term business priorities. It is not a reflection of the passion, talent or dedication of our team, nor of the support we have received from consumers and the Baltimore community since we opened our doors in 2018."</p><p>Since its opening in 2018, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery has welcomed over 2 million visitors, as noted on its Facebook page.</p><p>The brewery was the first to open in the U.S. since the closure of the previous Guinness brewery in New York in 1954, according to reports.</p><p>Derek Brown, a representative from Drink Company, a hospitality consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., commented on the closure, stating, "It's obviously a shame to see the Guinness brewery close in Maryland. However, I'm not surprised, in the sense that their core product remains Guinness, and now Guinness Zero. The brewery focused on experimental products which are interesting in themselves, but not necessarily primary drivers of Guinness' business."</p><p>The brewery allowed guests to create their own brews, resulting in the production of over 700 different beers over the years, according to its Facebook post.</p><p>Industry experts suggest that changing trends in alcohol consumption may have influenced the decision to close the brewery.</p><p>Recent research indicates that U.S. alcohol consumption has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by Fox News Digital. Additionally, more Americans are alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a trend referred to as "zebra striping," which may also contribute to the decline.</p><p>A Diageo spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to supporting affected employees during this transition, stating, "We are committed to treating our team members with respect and providing resources and assistance to help them navigate the change." They also reaffirmed that Guinness remains a key brand for the company, stating, "While our Baltimore brewery will close, our commitment to bringing Guinness to consumers around the world remains as strong as ever."</p>