Fort Wayne Brewery Closing

It was announced today that local brewing company, Warbird Brewing Company, is ceasing operations. Here is a link to the announcement:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local_wane_fw_warbird_closing_200910021745



Here is the a press release:

Fort Wayne, IN, October 2, 2009: Warbird Brewing Company has announced that it will cease operations as of October 1, 2009. Company founder, owner, president and brewer Dave Holmes made the announcement regretfully. “This has been a great 5 years for us. The Warbird brand reached out to those who loved airplanes, those who have served in our military and their family and friends. As a company, our mission has been to serve others by providing the best beer in the most attractive packaging under the most respectful and patriotic brand name in the beer business. We made beer we were proud of, and we have served many people in the community in many ways. It has been a privilege for me to lead this effort. Unfortunately, we simply did not sell enough beer profitably to meet our financial obligations. We have no choice but to face the reality that we did our best but we did not achieve financial success. The beer business is a very tough business. I learned a lot. I’m sorry to say it. It is game over for Warbird,” said Holmes. Holmes plans to work with the company’s customers and creditors to achieve the best possible outcome. He states, “Obviously, we are in discussions with our creditors and our advisors to address the realities of the situation. I am personally contacting people to explain the circumstance and discuss what we can do to work things out.” Warbird produced several regional and internationally recognized award winning beers, including the “Shanty Irish” which won the Gold Medal at the Indiana Brewer’s Festival in 2008 and recently was awarded the Silver Medal at the Australian International Beer Awards 2009. “Unfortunately,” said Holmes, “awards don’t matter unless they help you sell more beer, and ours did not.” Warbird Brewing Company sold beer in 6 states: Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, Georgia, and Texas. The company started operations in October 2004 but never achieved profitability.

Dave emails:

Tell everyone we did our best but making it with a pure production brewery in Fort Wayne is tough.  We now join a long line of distinguished breweries in Fort Wayne that have failed (financially).

Fortunately, we succeeded in many of our other efforts to serve others and to be good examples to our children, which is really what this is all about anyhow.

Take care.
Cheers,
Dave