A familiar green bottle is about to lose its hometown roots. One of the Bay Area’s most recognizable beer makers is preparing to shut down its longtime California brewery, ending an era for local craft brewing.
A Berkeley chapter comes to an end
After more than two decades in Berkeley, Trumer Brewery is closing its production facility and taproom on Fourth Street. The shutdown follows the recent sale of Trumer’s U.S. operations to Firestone Walker Brewing Company, which plans to continue making the brand’s signature pilsner at its Paso Robles brewery.
The Berkeley brewery first opened in 2004 and became known for producing Trumer Pils, a crisp German-style lager sold in its signature bright green bottle. Over the years, the beer built a loyal following across California bars, restaurants, and grocery shelves.
Jobs impacted by closure
State filings show that 33 workers are expected to be affected by the closure, with permanent layoffs scheduled to take effect May 29. Reports indicate employees connected to both the brewery and taproom will lose their positions as operations wind down.
The taproom itself was a newer addition, opening to the public in 2023 and giving fans a chance to sample specialty pours and fresh lagers directly from the source.
Beer will live on elsewhere
While the Berkeley location is closing, Trumer Pils is not disappearing. Firestone Walker says production will shift to its Central Coast facility, where the company intends to preserve the beer’s flavor and availability.
That means drinkers should still be able to find the brand on store shelves, though it will no longer be brewed in the Bay Area.
Part of a larger industry shift
The closure reflects broader challenges facing the beer industry nationwide, including slower alcohol consumption trends, rising costs, and increased competition from canned cocktails and other beverages. For Berkeley beer fans, however, the bigger loss is local: a longtime brewery that helped define the city’s modern beer scene.
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