Kichesippi Beer Co., a local Ottawa brewery that opened in 2010, will be shutting its doors for good next month due to financial constraints.
In a statement posted on the brewery’s website, owner Paul Meek said the brewery is operating at a loss, and has been “for some time.”
He also said he’s explored multiple options such as borrowing money, taking on new shareholders, selling the entire company and merging with other breweries to keep Kichesippi Beer Co. afloat and his staff employed, but has not been able to “secure long-term viability and profitability” for the brand.
The final day of service for the brewery, which is located on Robertson Road, will be March 6.
“We are in the awkward position of not having enough money to brew more beer, which results in not having enough beer to make more money,” the statement read.
“It is hard to properly summarize a proper thank you to everyone in this community who has supported our family business since 2010. I am beyond grateful for everything up to this point, and I know our staff are as well.”
Kichesippi Beer Co.’s closure comes less than a month after Small Pony Barrel Works, another local brewery, shut down operations.
Sean McVeigh, owner of Small Pony Barrel Works, wrote in a statement on the brewery’s website that he wanted to focus more of his time on things that bring him joy, like his families and hobbies, for the first time in nine years.
The brewery released its final beers on Jan. 31.
“As the years working at home passed, and shipping companies closed, ingredient prices raced upwards, some restaurants stopped paying bills, supply chains were in flux, and demand was shifting to more time-intensive beers like the SMÜV series — while great to see, despite the downward price pressure from LCBO — was taking an increasing toll on my time and energy,” he wrote.
“The tragic loss of our friend Justin from the newly-opened Base Camp Brewery was an emotional hit, and while the rally from both the community and other brewers was inspiring, this was also another time for introspection.”
