A beloved Boulder institution is pouring its last pint, and it’s a wake-up call for the craft beer world. Sanitas Brewing Co., a staple in Boulder’s vibrant beer scene, has closed all its taprooms, marking the end of an era. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this the beginning of the end for the craft beer boom, or just a natural correction in an oversaturated market? Let’s dive in.
In mid-November, Sanitas Brewing Co. announced its plans to close by year’s end, and by December 20, the final beers were served. The closures didn’t happen all at once—the Lafayette taproom shut its doors on December 18, followed by Englewood on December 19, and the flagship Boulder location on December 20. Sanitas isn’t alone in this struggle. Trinity Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs and Denver’s Call to Arms Brewing Co. also closed their doors later that same week, part of a wave of brewery closures sweeping the nation.
And this is the part most people miss: Sanitas CEO and co-founder Michael Memsic notes that this isn’t just a local issue. ‘I’ve counted 10 to 15 breweries nationwide closing between December 20th and 23rd,’ he said, predicting more announcements to come. Memsic sees these closures as the craft beer industry’s transition into a more stable, mature phase. ‘As brewers, we’ve been part of an emerging industry, but now we’re in a mature one,’ he explained. ‘In a mature industry, there will always be winners and losers.’
For two decades, the craft beer industry experienced explosive growth, but Memsic argues that pace was unsustainable. ‘We opened too many breweries in too short a time,’ he said. Colorado, a longtime hotspot for craft beer—home to the Great American Beer Festival and the Boulder-based Brewers Association—has been particularly hard-hit. The intense competition and creativity that once thrived are now giving way to contraction, leaving many local breweries unable to survive.
So, what’s driving these changes? Memsic jokingly blames Gen Z, but in reality, it’s a complex stew of issues. Changing attitudes toward alcohol, rising property values, and limited access to capital are all playing a role. ‘It’s a hard industry to make money in,’ Memsic admitted, ‘and it became clear we didn’t have the resources for another round.’
Sanitas Brewing Co. had a 12-year run marked by adaptability. Initially, Memsic and co-founder Chris Coyne envisioned Sanitas as a regional brewery, akin to Oskar Blues or Odell Brewing Co. But by 2018, they realized distribution wasn’t their strength. ‘Our taprooms were where we shone,’ Memsic said. They pivoted, focusing on creating robust community spaces. Even during the pandemic, they expanded, opening taprooms in Englewood and Lafayette, each becoming beloved local hangouts and incubators for other businesses.
But the definition of a successful taproom has evolved. ‘People aren’t satisfied with just a warehouse and a few pints anymore,’ Memsic said. Today, a taproom needs to be ‘restaurant adjacent,’ offering food, hospitality, and a full experience. ‘Many taprooms aren’t built for that,’ he added.
Despite these challenges, Memsic remains optimistic about the future of social spaces. ‘Gathering, drinking, and storytelling are ancient human practices,’ he said. ‘The health benefits of community and socializing will always matter.’ And while Sanitas may be closing its doors, its legacy of community will live on. ‘We did something that mattered to Boulder,’ Memsic reflected. ‘I’m hopeful this space will be reborn.’
Here’s the controversial question: As the craft beer industry matures, will the focus on community and experience save it, or is the era of the small, independent brewery coming to an end? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
