Monster Brewing, formerly know as CANarchy Craft Brewing Collective, will close its Utah facility on May 23, marking the end of an era for two of the state’s most influential craft beer pioneers, Wasatch Brewing and Squatters Brewing. The brands' production will be relocated to other facilities in the company’s national network, confirmed Ray LaRue, president of Monster Brewing.
The Salt Lake City site, once a cornerstone of Utah’s craft beer industry, will not have its lease renewed. As a result, 25 local employees will lose their jobs, and long-standing ties to the community will be severed. Founded in Utah and deeply rooted in the local scene, both breweries were hailed by fellow brewers for laying the groundwork of what is now a thriving industry. "All the Utah breweries are standing on the shoulders of Squatters and Wasatch," said Cody McKendrick, owner of Bewilder Brewing Company. Similarly, JC Straub from Salt Flats Brewery acknowledged their pivotal role as industry benchmarks for younger brewers.
The closure comes amid broader challenges for Monster Beverage’s alcohol division. The segment saw a year-over-year revenue decline in Q4 2024, falling to USD 34.9 million, down 0.8% from the previous year. Adverse weather events, such as Hurricane Helene, forced closures and caused supply chain disruptions, particularly at the company’s Brevard, North Carolina brewery.
Despite these setbacks, Monster Beverage achieved record net sales of USD 1.81 billion in Q4 2024, driven primarily by its growing energy drink business. In contrast, the alcohol segment has been underperforming, leading to strategic cost-cutting measures. These include a USD 130.7 million impairment charge linked to disappointing alcohol brand results, excess inventory, and legal expenses concerning legacy intellectual property disputes.
It's not the first time Monster Brewing has shut down a brewery. In May 2024, the company announced the closure of Deep Ellum Brewing Co., a Dallas-based craft brewer (inside.beer, 30-05.2024) .The brand had been part of Monster’s alcohol portfolio since 2022, when Monster Beverage made its entry into the alcoholic beverage segment by acquiring US craft brewing collective Canarchy—which included Deep Ellum—for USD 330 million (inside.beer, 13.1.2022)
Looking ahead, Monster Brewing plans to continue innovating with products like Beast, Pink Poison, and the upcoming Gnarly Grape, alongside new flavored beer offerings under Miche.
However, the loss of local brewing in Utah signifies a profound shift for a state whose beer culture was shaped by Wasatch and Squatters since their founding decades ago. According to Stephanie Biesecker, executive director of the Utah Brewers Guild, "They have been around longer than anyone else who's been in business."
As Monster optimizes operations across its bicoastal network, the closure underscores the growing divide between craft beer's local roots and the strategic recalibrations of national beverage conglomerates.
