“I would die for beer and probably will, but i’m not going to make people endanger themselves.”
3 Floyds Brewing Co., the famous brewpub based in Indiana, will not continue its business despite the state allowing bars to open at half-capacity June 14, citing customer safety concerns.
On March 15, flagship brewery, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. closed its brewpub, distillery tasting room, beer and carry out sales. When the announcement was first made, the company wrote on their website:
“We hope to reopen as soon as possible, but want to reduce the risk of unnecessary exposure to our employees, our guests, and the local community.”
Since then, the brewery has been offering contactless beer, spirits, and merchandise pickup from its location in Munster, Indiana. 3 Floyds also converted its distillery to produce hand sanitizer.
On May 11, Indiana permitted restaurants to reopen at half-capacity, despite this, 3 Floyds founder Nick Floyd decided to keep the brewpub closed. As Indian continues to lift coronavirus-based restrictions, including allowing bars to reopen June 14, Floyd made the decision of furloughing his staff.
“I can’t put people in danger; no one should die over a beer,” Floyd told the Chicago Tribune. “I would die for beer and probably will, but I’m not going to make people endanger themselves.”
Floyd notified his staff of the furloughs on Monday — “the most painful thing I have had to do,” he said.
Brewers Association names 3 Floyds as the 31st largest craft brewer in the nation. In addition to Indiana, the brewery distributes its beers in 7 states, including: Illinois, Tennessee, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Floyds said their was a possibility that the brewery would reopen when everything is safe, although that wouldn’t be for at least a year.
As of now, you can still purchase beer, spirits, hand sanitizer, and merch seven days of week from 12 pm – 6 pm through curbside pickup at its facility in Munster.
“The safety of our customers and staff is our first priority, and at this time, we do not have immediate plans to reopen 3 Floyds Brewpub for bar or dine-in service,” the brewpub announced on its Instagram account.
“We’re going to continue to brew the beer that brought us together and uphold the culture that you all have built with us over the past fifteen years in the pub. ⚔️ Although we can’t pour you one at the bar, our beer & spirits (plus merch and packaged food items) will continue to be available for curbside pickup at the brewery. In these uncertain times, we’ve put our plans to expand the brewpub on hold.”
In Illinois, you can find 3 Floyds’ beers in Marketplace Selections at 1710 W Detweiller Drive in Peoria; and in Windy City Distributing LLC at 1103 Butterfield Road in Aurora.
[Featured image: @3floydsbrewpub]