Brock Street Brewing, a beloved fixture in downtown Whitby’s social scene, has officially announced that it is shutting its doors, marking the end of an era for local beer enthusiasts.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, the brewery wrote, “It is with heavy hearts that we share Brock Street Brewery will be closing due to market challenges affecting the business. We’re so grateful for everyone who’s supported us along the way – our customers, staff and community. Thank you for being part of our journey.”
The announcement follows days of speculation after the brewery quietly closed its downtown location last week, sparking chatter across social media. Friday afternoon’s confirmation ended the silence and sent waves of nostalgia through the community.
Brock Street Brewing opened its impressive three-storey, 19,000-square-foot brewery inside Whitby’s historic former fire hall in 2019. The facility featured an 8,000-square-foot brewery, a bottle shop, and later, a private lounge and event space upstairs. Since its launch, it became a lively hub for locals, hosting events like trivia nights and Euchre evenings, and even brewing specialty beers to support local rock bands.
The company first began its journey in 2015 on Hopkins Street with an ambitious vision to transform the long-vacant fire hall at 204 Brock St. S. into a destination brewery. Four years later, that vision became reality, and the brewery quickly became a cornerstone of downtown Whitby’s revitalization efforts.
John Allen of 12welve Bistro & Tapwerks — the restaurant operating inside the same building but independently from the brewery — expressed sadness over the closure, calling Brock Street a “fellow local business” that played a meaningful role in the community. “We recognize the role they played in the community and the many connections they built with guests and supporters over the years. We wish their team the very best as they transition forward during this difficult time,” he said.
Brock Street Brewing had even announced expansion plans to Cobourg in 2023 and was actively involved in sponsoring community events, reflecting its deep roots in the region. But over the past week, its regular events were abruptly cancelled, and its beers were removed from the company’s online store.
For now, the bottle shop will remain open for a limited time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., allowing loyal fans one last chance to raise a glass.