Carol Stoudt Prepares for Retirement; Brewery to Cease Operations

Sad news indeed.

 

It's an awful thing to have to say, considering Stoudt's incredible contribution to the craft brewing scene, but there probably is not much value to the brand moving forward. Very sad to see this.

 

IMO Carol pretty much summed up the issue right here:

“This was a difficult decision to make,” says Carol, “but we’re not moving enough volume to justify the expense of keeping the brewery open. However, we’re not closing the doors to any business opportunities that could help the Stoudts brand live on."

Some person may advocate they were just too late here - should have produced Juicy/Hazy IPAs five years ago.

Cheers!

@rotsaruch

 

Does this mean the black ipa or Porter will make a comeback?

 

A huge loss. This is what happens when you don’t buy “shelfies”.

I expect the trend to continue.

 

I guess I'm not surprised and I believe we will see more breweries closing. I suppose I am part of the problem, if there is one, always looking for something new. Like it or not though, that is the market today and breweries need to adapt. The last beer I bought from them was a four pack of old abominable a few months ago. First Stouts purchase in years and it wasn't that good. Frankly there is too much good beer available to feel this loss in any meaningful way.

Carol was undeniably a pioneer for women and for better beer, I'll toast to her tonight.

 

That was an interesting read. Thank you for sharing.

I can only wonder if things had turned out different had the Stoudt family sought out and partnered with the Pasdtry family...

 

I first started dinking their beer in the late 1980s. It was local, fresh and delicious. Aside from Sierra Nevada SNPA, this was my first introduction to American Craft Beer. Sorry to see them closing.

 

Sad to hear

Carol helped turn me on to craft at a beer fest way back in the day.

Looking at their web site its pretty void of any style that people are looking for.

Back in the day I bought plenty of those 750 bottles of fat dog, did it have a different name back then?

The APA was a staple as well.

The last thing I bought was four play IPA a few years back. I liked it but its not memorable.

I always enjoyed flea marketing and stopping by for a beer.

Maybe they will keep a small footprint to brew for the restaurant.

If I remember correct Carol walked away once before and the beer really suffered till she came back.

Anyone remember those awesome festivals they had with all the breweries you never heard of before, the wurst and bread. They were always a blast and the after parties with the brewers at the hotel were great.

I had a keg of Stoudts weizen at my wedding.

cheers Carol and Ed

Enjoy

 

Out of all the breweries we lost in the last decade this stings the most personally for me.

I would have supported them if I could in the last few years but it's been years since I've seen Stoudts Gold, Smooth Hoperator, or even fat dog on the shelf.

Damn shame. But hey at least we have a bunch of local breweries putting out the same beer under different labels with slightly tweaked recipes... /sarcasm

 

Feels like #9 did not happen

Enjoy

 

Pretty sad to see this. I haven’t really seen their beer in my parts in a few years but the imperial Oatmeal stout was a favorite of mine back in the day and their pilsner was a must buy when I saw it. As someone said in the thread earlier, this is probably gonna become a more common thing to happen to breweries like Stoudt’s. Hopefully someone steps to the plate and can help them out.

 

2020? It was an incredible run. But this is definitely a passing to be mourned.

 

Was gonna pull out some reference sources but BREWBOUND's article saves me the trouble:

Damn. That's tiny for a +30 year old brewery.

So, after that,I had to pull out some more sources.
1990 = 3,000 bbl.
1995 = 13,600 bbl.*
2007 = 8,000 bbl.

* In-house 5.8k + 7.8K contract-brewed at The Lion.
# 43 in the AoB's Top Craft Breweries List

I don't know what this world's comin' to... (never did, I suppose).

Damn, man, now I feel bad... I've been going to that place (flea mkt and restaurant) since before they added the brewery.

 

The goodwill of the brand name is still worth something. Someone could buy the name/recipes and contract it at better economics of scale or with better/different distribution. Like Long Trail did (via Otter Creek) in 2011 with The Shed in Vermont.

 

Dammitt, RIP. Really loved Stoudts Gold.

 

I am really sorry to hear about Stoudt's closing. It is unfortunate that since I have been living in Florida for the last few years, I have not had the pleasure of enjoying her beers. I have fond memories of buying a case of 26 oz. bottles of her Gold and Pilsner at her brewery while on a road trip from New England down to Louisville, KY in the late 1990s. I certainly hope she enjoys her retirement; all of us will certainly miss her beers.