Marlborough-based Flying Dreams Brewing Co. is set to close its doors at the end of December, making it the latest Central Massachusetts craft brewery to cease operation.
Flying Dreams announced its closure, effective Dec. 27, in a social media post on Tuesday. Originally opening in a Worcester location attached to Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern in 2015, Flying Dreams opened a Marlborough taproom at 277 Main St. in 2018, which eventually became its sole location.
“It’s with much sadness, lots of fond memories and no little resistance to giving up or letting go, that we have reached a place, where it’s time to let go,” Dave Richardson, founder and master brewer at Flying Dreams, wrote in the Facebook post. “…We wanted to have a place where regular folks with regular lives could come together and have extraordinary conversations over great beer. Unfortunately, no matter how much fun it’s been and no matter all the wonderful people around us, keeping us going, keeping us laughing, the numbers won’t let us.”
Flying Dreams produced 210 barrels of beer in 2024, according to data provided by the Brewers Association. This compares to larger brands like Charlton-based Tree House Brewing Co., which produced 40,262 barrels. A barrel of beer contains 31 gallons.
Facing higher operational costs and changing consumer habits, Flying Dreams joins breweries like Redemption Rock Brewing in Worcester, Milk Room Brewing in Rutland, and River Styx Brewing in Fitchburg as Central Massachusetts craft beer companies which have closed since 2023.
Some craft beer companies have merged their operations, with Framingham-based Hendler Family Beer Co., the parent company of Jack’s Abby, purchasing Worcester-based Wormtown Brewery and Everett-based Night Shift Brewing in 2024. Other local craft beer brand staples, including Westminster-based Wachusett Brewery, are now part of larger collectives of multiple brewers and brands.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
