USA: Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland to close in November

Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe will close Nov. 1 after eight years amid changes in consumer preferences, Fox 5 News reported on October 1.

Guinness brand owner Diageo said Thursday that the company made the decision after reviewing operations and long-term business priorities. The brewery opened in 2018 with a taproom and restaurant as well as a beer production plant, which the company shut down in June 2023.

“Guinness remains one of our most important brands, and we are committed to investing in its long-term growth and success,” a Diageo spokesman said in a statement. “While our Baltimore brewery will close, our commitment to bringing Guinness to consumers around the world remains as strong as ever.”

A source familiar with the decision said the Baltimore brewery has become increasingly difficult to sustain as the company navigated increasing operating costs, shifts in consumer demand and broader economic pressures. The source said the company determined other alternatives and operating models were not viable.

01 October, 2026