Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe will permanently close on Sunday, November 1, ending an eight-year run for the Guinness destination just outside Baltimore.
Guinness announced the closure Thursday, saying the brewery has welcomed more than two million visitors since opening in 2018. In a farewell message, the brewery said it has produced more than 700 different beers over the years and invited customers to visit during its final month for “one final toast.”
The Baltimore Sun reported that Guinness owner Diageo made the decision after reviewing the operation and its long-term business priorities. A source familiar with the decision told the Sun that rising operating costs, changing consumer demand and broader economic pressures had made the operation increasingly difficult to sustain.
The Open Gate Brewery opened to the public in August 2018 at 5001 Washington Boulevard following an approximately $90 million investment by Diageo. At the time, it marked the first Guinness brewing operation on U.S. soil in more than 60 years and included brewing, packaging, warehousing and visitor operations that generated more than 200 jobs.
The Halethorpe site was created as an American counterpart to Guinness’ Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, giving brewers space to experiment with new beers influenced by American brewing traditions. The facility initially included two brewhouses, including a smaller system for experimental beers and a larger system used to produce Guinness Blonde. Guinness Draught and the company’s other classic stouts continued to be brewed in Ireland.
The property itself also has a longer alcohol-production history. The site was previously home to a historic whiskey distillery, a connection that helped inspire the original “Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House” name.
The operation changed significantly in 2023, when Diageo shut down the site’s larger beer production operation. The Open Gate Brewery visitor experience remained open with its taproom and experimental brewing operation. The brewery currently features an experimental brewery, taproom, brand store, food offerings, beer garden and tours. In its closing announcement, Guinness thanked its brewing and hospitality employees and said its support for Baltimore-area organizations would continue beyond the brewery’s final pour.
“We’re so grateful for the memories, the friendships and the years we’ve shared,” the brewery wrote. “For the next month, join us for one final toast. We’d love to see you before our last call.”
