A staple of Boulder’s craft brewery scene will close in December after 12 years in business, citing the economic challenges of the current beer market.
Sanitas Brewing Co. announced on Friday it would shutter operations due to “rising costs and lower sales of craft beer,” according to a statement. The closure impacts all three of its locations in Boulder, Englewood and Lafayette. The last day of business is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 20.
“The craft beer industry is currently facing significant challenges, and Sanitas, like many others, is feeling the impact. Closing was not the first choice for Sanitas, but it is the choice they have recently come to,” the statement said.
Sanitas opened its first location in 2013 in a charming industrial space along train tracks in Boulder. That spot, 3550 Frontier Ave., was renowned for its sprawling patio that provided a lively environment to bring your dog and drink beer. In 2023, the company opened a satellite taproom in Englewood and another in Lafayette in 2024.
The additional locations were something of a pivot for the brewery, which initially focused on packaged beer and retail distribution. Post-pandemic, Sanitas wanted to become more of a third space for suburban communities and brought food and coffee purveyors to the taprooms in hopes that patrons would enjoy the spaces throughout the day.
“We’re looking for places where we want to participate in that community and be able to grow our footprint,” CEO Michael Memsic told The Denver Post at the time of the Englewood expansion.
In Friday’s announcement, Memsic thanked Sanitas’ local followers. “You stood by our sides while we chased dreams and you buckled up for the adventure of a lifetime. This ride has not been easy, but we had a lot of fun, and did something together that matters,” he said.
