Angel City Brewery to Close April 30: What It Means for Boston Beer and the Craft Beer Scene

Angel City Brewery, a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ Arts District craft beer scene, will officially close its doors on April 30, 2026, marking the end of a 15-year run in its iconic downtown location. The announcement, made via social media on February 4, confirmed that the brewery’s lease at the historic John A. Roebling Building will not be renewed. The closure is part of a strategic shift by parent company Boston Beer Company, which plans to consolidate operations and potentially sell the Angel City brand.

Founded in 1997 and relocated to the Arts District in 2010, Angel City Brewery helped pioneer the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles’ craft beer culture. Known for its expansive taproom, community events, and experimental releases like Avocado Ale and Sunbather Sour, Angel City became a destination for locals and tourists alike.

Boston Beer’s Strategic Pivot
Boston Beer Company, best known for Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, and Angry Orchard,acquired Angel City in 2012 through its Alchemy & Science division. While the brand has remained profitable, Boston Beer stated that the decision to close the taproom was driven by a desire to “focus on growing core brands” and explore selling Angel City as a standalone entity.

This move reflects a broader trend in the craft beer industry, where large parent companies are reevaluating their portfolios amid shifting consumer preferences, rising costs, and increased competition from local and regional breweries. Boston Beer’s decision to exit the Los Angeles taproom scene may signal a retreat from physical retail spaces in favor of national distribution and brand consolidation.

Impact on the Craft Beer Community
Angel City’s closure is a significant loss for the Los Angeles craft beer community. The brewery was more than just a taproom,it was a cultural hub that hosted art shows, food truck festivals, and beer education events. Its departure leaves a void in the Arts District, where few breweries match its scale and visibility.

For independent brewers, Angel City’s exit underscores the challenges of maintaining large urban taprooms in high-rent districts. It also raises concerns about the future of craft beer diversity, as consolidation often leads to fewer local options and less experimentation.


What’s Next for Angel City?
Boston Beer has indicated that it will pursue a sale of the Angel City brand, suggesting that the beer itself may live on under new ownership. Whether the new owner will maintain production in Los Angeles or shift operations elsewhere remains to be seen.

In the meantime, fans are encouraged to visit the taproom before its final day on April 30, 2026, to celebrate the brewery’s legacy and raise a glass to one of LA’s most influential craft beer institutions.

Here’s a list of alternative breweries and craft beer spots in Los Angeles to check out if you’re looking to explore the local beer scene beyond Angel City Brewery:

Recommended Los Angeles Breweries

Downtown LA & Arts District:
Boomtown Brewery – Highly rated DTLA brewery with seasonal pours and a friendly taproom.
Highland Park Brewery – Popular local brewery known for well-balanced ales and pilsners.
Frogtown Brewery – Riverside-adjacent brewery and taproom with unique brews.
Homage Brewing – Craft brewery with rotating house beers near Little Tokyo.

Greater LA / County:
Golden Road Brewing – One of LA’s larger local breweries with year-round and seasonal beers.
All Season Brewing – La Brea craft brewery with small-batch brews and laid-back atmosphere.
Lawless Brewing – Valley brewery and taproom with well-crafted beers and beer garden vibes.
Lincoln Beer Company – Burbank brewery and beer garden with rotating taps and seasonal brews.
Other Great Craft Stops

Alongside the breweries above, LA’s craft beer scene includes a variety of additional local breweries and brewpubs worth visiting: Arts District Brewing Co., Mumford Brewing Co., Smog City Brewery, Cellador Ales, Liberation Brewing Co., 6th & La Brea Brewery, Long Beach Beer Lab, and Yorkshire Square Brewery, all offering distinctive beers and taproom experiences.

Why Explore These Breweries
With the closure of Angel City’s Arts District taproom, Los Angeles still has a thriving craft beer landscape with diverse styles — from crisp pilsners and hazy IPAs to rich stouts and barrel-aged ales. These breweries continue to support LA’s beer community and offer welcoming spaces for locals and visitors alike.