USA, MD: Denizens Brewing Co. to close its downtown Silver Spring location

DCBeer.com says the decision to close the Silver Spring taproom, which opened in 2014, is mostly because the original ten-year lease ends in October and the landlord wants to renew for another ten-year term. Denizens tried to negotiate a shorter renewal term, but the landlord would not budge.

Verratti told DCBeer that after the uncertainty of the last few years, Denizens is not interested in signing a ten-year lease again. In the wake of the pandemic, Denizens ceased brewing at its Silver Spring location, moved its brewery equipment to Riverdale Park, and sold excess equipment to other regional breweries, including Atlas Brew Works, Lost Generation, and Black Narrows.

The 12,000-square-foot production brewery and 150-seat taproom in Riverdale Park opened in 2019. Recently, Denizens added offerings from All Set Restaurant & Bar, Money Muscle BBQ, and Catalyst Hot Dogs to their food menus.

Staff at the Silver Spring location were informed of the decision not to renew the lease months before the official announcement. They have been offered employment at Riverdale Park if they wish, or assistance in pursuing other employment opportunities.

“Our ten-year lease has come to an end and that’s the end of an era for us, an end of a chapter,” Verratti said in the announcement video posted Tuesday. “It’s been an incredible ten years in Silver Spring and we’re so grateful for the community here. We’re still making the same high-quality beer, high-quality service, and high-quality food that you can grab right here in Riverdale Park, Maryland.”

It is unknown what the future holds for the space at 1115 East-West Highway, which was placed on the market for lease in August.