E-Malt.com News article: US, AZ: Closure of Rock Bottom Brewery displeases the community

On June, 25 the last pints of ale hit the polished wooden bar and tables at Rock Bottom Brewery, an Ahwatukee hangout and community partner of 12 years, azcentral.com reported on July, 14.

Closure of the 10,000-square-foot building at Ray Road and 50th Street grates on many in the community, not only because it was so sudden but also because now what had been a thriving business sits empty and abandoned.

It appears to be the result of the November 2010 merger of Rock Bottom Restaurants and the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group as CraftWorks Restaurants and Breweries, Inc.

The press release announcing their merger stated that there were no plans for rebranding or closing any units.

Then, after 10 years, Scottsdale's Rock Bottom closed in April.

Since the Ahwatukee bar closed on June 25, many former patrons have expressed their displeasure to the corporate office. Others simply mourn its passing.

Ahwatukee's Rock Bottom Brewery was known for more than brewing its beers, ales and root beers, and its American fare. It was appreciated for its largesse in the community.

Two Arizona Rock Bottom restaurants remain open, in Desert Ridge on Tatum, where some Ahwatukee employees were transferred, according to CraftsWorks spokeswoman Kelly Wilson, and Glendale's Rock Bottom on Bell Road.

"It was only after much consideration that the company made this difficult decision to permanently close the doors after years of serving our great guests," Wilson said regarding the Ahwatukee closure. "We're not considering closing any more Rock Bottoms at this time."

Wilson said that 34 Rock Bottom Breweries continue operating in 16 states.


15 July, 2011