Guinness / Diageo North America Closing Relay, MD Production Brewery

From Guinness:

The closure is of a Diageo North America manufacturing facility in Relay, MD, not part of the Open Gate Brewery.

Statement

After careful consideration and analysis of our supply footprint, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our manufacturing facility in Relay, Maryland. In order to ensure long term sustainable growth for Diageo, we are optimizing our existing operations across North America to meet evolving consumer preferences.

We do not take these decisions lightly and recognize the impact on our employees. For those affected we are providing support in the form of severance packages, outplacement assistance, and employee assistance resources, as well as information on open roles across our organization.

This decision will not impact our hospitality operations at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery taproom and restaurant. We have been part of the Baltimore community for many years and will continue to be an active member through our work at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, contributing to local tourism and the economy, and supporting local charitable organizations.

Notes:

• The manufacturing facility is slated to close by June of this year.
• We anticipate that around 97 roles will be impacted.
• Our hospitality operations at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery employs around 100 people
• Through the $1 million Guinness Gives Back Baltimore Community Fund, has supported equity and opportunity in local hospitality, art and culture pathways, and helped alleviate food insecurity.
• Since opening in 2018, the Baltimore taproom has welcomed more than 1,300,000 visitors.
• We will continue to brew experimental beers to serve the brewery’s taproom in the 10-barrel innovation brewery on the ground floor of the visitor center.