Large Kentucky craft brewer to close flagship taproom. You still have time to visit
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Against the Grain will close its Slugger Field taproom; final service Dec. 23, 2025
- Brewery production in Portland continues and distribution to retailers will persist
- Founders cite lease end; brewery plans occasional pop-ups and facility events
A Louisville brewer that has been an anchor of the city’s Whiskey Row is closing its flagship taproom.
Against the Grain posted on its social media Wednesday the pub and restaurant it operates in Slugger Field at 401 E. Main St. in Louisville will be closing in December after 14 years.
“Our lease has come to an end at Slugger Field and we’ve made the difficult decision to not renew it,” co-founders Sam Cruz and Jerry Gnagy wrote in a post on Facebook.
The last day of restaurant operations at Against the Grain Public House will be Dec. 23.
They said the brewery’s production in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood will continue and Against the Grain beers will be distributed in restaurants, bars and liquor stores. Founded in 2011, Against the Grain is now one of Kentucky’s larger craft breweries; in 2014, the company received economic incentives from the state to expand and quadruple production.
“We’ll pop up here and there to remind you we’re still around and maybe even open up our production facility in the Portland neighborhood for a party or two,” the post reads. “We’d love it if you’d stop into the restaurant one last time before the end of the year to share a beer and a memory. We know it has meant a lot to a lot of people, including us, so come on down and make the most of our final days!”
The brewery did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beer and craft beer have been going through economic difficulties similar to the downturn the bourbon industry is experiencing. Overall consumption is down, competition is up and craft brewers across the country have closed due to rising costs, including some related to President Donald Trump’s aluminum tariffs.
