After more than eight years of brewing, community building, and championing Montgomery County’s craft beer scene, Tony and Lacy Prebula, co-founders of Saints Row Brewing, have announced that they are stepping away from the business (Saints Row Brewing will remain open during this time as Tony and Lacy look for new ownership).
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the couple reflected on the journey that began over eight years ago with a simple goal… to do what they love, share that passion with their community, and support their family through their craft.
Tony, who grew up in Gaithersburg’s East Deer Park neighborhood and is a Gaithersburg High School alumnus, and Lacy, who together are now raising their family in Washington Grove, founded Saints Row in 2017. The brewery quickly became a local favorite and one of the defining names in Montgomery County’s emerging craft beer scene.
“Lacy and I have decided that it is time to step away from Saints Row Brewing,” Tony wrote. “This decision has not been an easy one to make, for so many reasons. At the end of the day, what it boils down to is that Lacy and I only hope to make decisions we earnestly feel are for the best for our family.”
Tony explained that over time, the growing demands of running the brewery made it increasingly difficult to maintain the hands-on, personal experience that Saints Row was founded upon. “Our work has always been set up to do what I love,” he said. “But as time went on, that work became consumed by other responsibilities… Running administration was always going to be a part of my work, but when we first launched, we didn’t expect it to take over all my time, energy, and effort.”
He also reflected on how the local beer industry has evolved, noting both the positive and challenging changes that have come with it. “For better or worse, our industry has changed,” he wrote. “The necessary focus on ‘our own brand’ has made the joy of brewing in a community less enjoyable over time for me personally.”
Ultimately, Tony shared that the decision to move on was driven by a desire to focus more on his family and personal well-being. “What has really driven this decision home is my desire as a father… to spend my best time, energy, and years with those closest to me,” he said. “I want to be a better and more intentionally involved partner, parent, and friend.”
Despite the bittersweet nature of the announcement, the Prebulas expressed deep gratitude for the friendships, community, and memories that Saints Row has brought into their lives. “Over the last 8+ years we’ve been immensely blessed for the many friendships and people we’ve come to call family,” Tony shared. “The hardest and heaviest part of this decision is knowing what we are leaving behind.”
Looking ahead, Tony and Lacy plan to work diligently over the coming year to find new ownership for Saints Row, someone “better equipped to meet the challenges of today” and to carry on the brewery’s legacy within the Montgomery County beer community. They ended their message with appreciation and optimism, “We have left it all on the table, we have run the good race, we are ready to pass on the torch, and we can’t wait to see the great things ahead for MoCo beer and to enjoy that with you all.”
