The San Francisco craft beer landscape is losing another iconic brewery as 21st Amendment prepares to shut down its operations in November. After 25 remarkable years of brewing, the beloved local establishment will close both its South Beach taproom and San Leandro brewery, marking the end of an era for Bay Area beer enthusiasts.

Founded during the dot-com boom in 2000, 21st Amendment was once a powerhouse in the craft brewing world, ranking among the top 50 craft breweries nationally between 2016 and 2019. Co-founder Shaun O’Sullivan reflected on their journey, acknowledging the significant changes in the craft beer industry since their inception.

The brewery’s closure reflects broader challenges facing craft beer producers. Shifting consumer preferences towards canned cocktails and hard seltzers, combined with declining alcohol consumption among younger generations, have created a challenging market. Additionally, rising aluminum tariffs have further pressured the all-canned brewery.

Financial challenges ultimately drove the decision to close, with the brewery’s lender citing ongoing cash flow problems. O’Sullivan’s recent social media posts suggest the closure was unexpected, hinting at complex behind-the-scenes dynamics.

This closure continues a troubling trend for San Francisco’s brewing scene, following the recent shutdown of other local breweries like Harmonic Brewing. The move underscores the increasingly difficult landscape for independent craft breweries trying to maintain their foothold in a rapidly changing market.

While the brewery’s future remains uncertain, O’Sullivan expressed hope that their story might inspire the next generation of brewers and entrepreneurs. The final day of operations for both the taproom and brewery is set for November 4, marking the end of a significant chapter in San Francisco’s craft beer history.