After 11 years of serving craft beer lovers in suburban Minneapolis, Waconia Brewing Co. has announced it will close its doors on January 31, 2026, marking the end of more than a decade of local brewing and community gatherings.
A beloved local gathering spot
Located in downtown Waconia, the brewery was a fixture for residents and visitors alike, offering a variety of house-brewed beers and a welcoming taproom atmosphere. Since its opening in 2015, it has become a hub for celebrations, casual meetups, and community events, earning a loyal following among craft beer enthusiasts in the region.
Owners cite personal reasons and transition
In announcing the closure, the DeLange family (owners) shared gratitude for the years spent serving the community and acknowledged the many memories formed over numerous pints. “While this was a difficult decision, we are deeply thankful for the years we’ve spent serving this community,” read the brewery’s official Facebook post.
Rather than pointing to industry pressures, owner Dee DeLange framed the decision as a personal one. Despite closing, the DeLange family remains hopeful about Waconia Brewing’s future. They’ve put the business up for sale, saying, “As we prepare to close, we remain hopeful for the future of Waconia Brewing Company. The business is for sale, and we are seeking someone who shares a passion for craft beer and can carry the brewery forward.”
Part of a larger trend in Minnesota
Waconia’s closure comes amid a broader wave of craft brewery shutdowns across Minnesota, with several small breweries announcing recent closures in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas in the last year. (Local small breweries aren’t the only ones — the world’s largest brewing company is also closing breweries.)
For longtime patrons, Waconia Brewing Co.’s final day will be bittersweet — both a conclusion to a cherished local chapter and a reminder of how dynamic and challenging the craft beer landscape has become.
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