A York brewery will close its long-standing home this week.
Ainsty Ales revealed on social media that the ‘rumours are correct’ and the brewery and taproom in Acaster Malbis is set to close this Friday, 12 September, as it lease comes to an end.
But the brand will continue “when we find the right site”.
Ainsty Ales opened up its taproom every Friday evening, where it would serve its various cask and keg brews each week.
A range of bottles and cans were also on offer alongside wines, ciders, spirits and soft drinks – as well as a rotating street food offering.
Director Jon Greenwood wrote in the closing announcement that “The rumours are correct, we will be closing down from the 12th September.
“Friday evenings are great and the guys who turn out week after week have been tremendous but those six hours simply don’t pay the bills.
“We are running at break even right now but that’s only with me putting in 50 hours a week, using my own van for deliveries and not taking a bean out of the company,” he continued. “Not a recipe that can continue for me at my age!”
He also thanked his team, and said that though the taproom is closing the brand will return in the future.
“We will spring up again somewhere when we find the right site so it’s not the end of Ainsty Ales Brewery, more of a pause.”
After contacting for a comment, Jon told YorkMix that “one of the main things in business is knowing when to stop digging!
“The brand is great, the products are great but everything around that needs realigning. We need a better location without restrictive trading hours then we will be away. Down but not out…we will ride again.”
Ainsty Ales bought the Duke of York at Gate Helmsley in May to sell its beer, but that needs to be refurbished. Mr Greenwood told the York Press last month that the brewery might relocate there but he would prefer a York city centre site.
Ainsty Ales was set up by Andy Herrington in 2014. In 2023, Ainsty Ales Ltd was put into voluntary liquidation, and in January 2024, a new company – Ainsty Ales Brewery Ltd – was formed with four new, York-based shareholders and new director in Jon Greenwood.
Andy left the company in 2024, after differences with the new company.
We reported in May 2024 that the award-winning brewery and taproom received a six-figure investment from a group of local entrepreneurs to help with “increasing demand”.
To stay up to date with the future of Ainsty Ales Brewery and Taproom, visit their website here.
