Popular city brewery announces sudden closure
Pill testing to be trialled in Victoria
A popular craft brewery in Melbourne has announced it is closing in the latest in a wave of business failures to impact independent beer producers.
The owner of Alchemy Brewing Co posted on social media the business would be closing its doors for the final time at the end of this month.
"I am incredibly proud of the venue I built but we've had a rough ride and it's time to call it quits," they said in the Facebook post.
The craft brewer will hold a farewell party for its faithful customers on Saturday, June 29.
Alchemy opened on Lygon Street in Brunswick East in December 2019.
But just months later the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in March 2020 Melbourne entered the first of six strict lockdowns.
The city's buoyant hospitality industry was forced to rely on government grants and sales of takeaways.
EXPLAINER: The perfect storm putting local craft beers out of business
Alchemy confirmed to 9News.com.au the business was closing but would not comment further.
It is the latest in a series of craft brewers in Australia going out of business or into administration this year.
In March, award-winning WA brewery Golden West calling in administrators, just weeks after Big Shed from South Australia and Melbourne's Hawkers. In January, Sydney label Wayward closed its doors.
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