Taprooms closed, local breweries lose bulk of business

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Small breweries across Grand Rapids and the country are struggling to survive the coronavirus crisis.

A national survey put out by The Brewers Association shows how the pandemic has caused profit losses, production changes and layoffs. Out of nearly 1,000 small breweries surveyed, 90.9% stated COVID-19 has impacted their business, with 85% of respondents indicating they’ve had to close their taprooms for the time being.

Several taprooms in the Grand Rapids area, like Speciation Artisan Ales, have come to that same decision.

“The small breweries like us have basically made most of our money through our taprooms,” Speciation Artisan Ales owner Mitch Ermatinger said. “So a lot of us are adjusting how we do business to still survive.”

More at WOOD-TV.


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