Beer giant Molson Coors to shut its Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork

""Unfortunately, despite great work from the team, in the face of a challenging craft beer category and other economic pressures impacting our customers and consumers, it has not been possible to grow the brands to the level needed to sustain the brewery as part of our UK and Ireland production network," they said. "This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are providing our 15 impacted employees with every support," Molson Coors said."

""We understand the special place the Franciscan Well brewery and brands have in the local community and remain open to conversations with interested parties about the future of the brewery and brands," they said. The potential closure of the brewery in Cork comes as the craft beer sector generally has come under strain. In July Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company (KBD) announced the closure of its two plants in Co Kerry, following an examinership process that failed to find a rescue plan."

Molson Coors acquired Franciscan Well in 2013 intending to expand the Irish brand, including into international markets. The group announced the brewery in Cork will close after efforts to grow the brands failed amid a challenging craft beer category and broader economic pressures. Fifteen employees are affected and the company has entered a consultation process, seeking redeployment and providing support. Molson Coors stated openness to conversations with interested parties about the future of the brewery and brands. The craft beer sector has come under strain, with Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company closing two plants after examinership. Molson Coors recently reached a distribution deal with Heineken Ireland.

Read at Irish Independent