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Necromancer Brewing, the North Hills brewery known for its support of the queer community, along with its commitment to brewing old-style beer, announced Monday that it would be closing as of this weekend.
The brewery had been closed last week because of “an issue with our liquor license,” according to a Facebook post from Feb. 13. “We’ve been doing everything we can to find out what the issue is and rectify it,” it continued.
But late Monday afternoon, Necromancer announced on Instagram that it would close permanently. The post cited “operating costs that continue to rise, and the overall state of the industry.” Plans for Midnight Whistler Pub, slated to open in Greenfield last fall, have been scrapped as well.
The brewery will give away free beer on Thursday and Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. According to Instagram, patrons of the Inner Circle and Founder’s Club membership programs will be able to reserve up to two cases of beer, but no details on a reservation process were shared.
Asked about the closing, founder Ben Butler told Breweries in PA that “it’s purely a financial decision.” Pennsylvania breweries “pay taxes on literally breathing…and get told to stop operating without any temporary authority to address state concerns.”
A listing on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board license site indicates that Necromancer’s liquor license expired on Dec. 31, 2023. At least two other area breweries, Brew Gentlemen and Butler Brew Works, have currently expired licenses, and may be working with the state to renew them.
Reactions on social media have ranged from shock to regret at the loss of an inclusive, supportive space for LGBTQ patrons. Necromancer’s Queer Beer Club met monthly, and sponsored activities including pickleball nights. Skate Night and drag brunches were popular with patrons as well.
Other posters noted that they had bought memberships at the Midnight Whistler Pub, which never opened, and were wondering about a refund process.
Butler also owns Top Hat, a marketing and public relations agency based in Aspinwall, the Franktuary food truck, and Jet’s Barbershop in Wexford. Google lists Top Hat as “temporarily closed.” Franktuary’s Instagram has not been updated for six months. Jet’s is open.
Butler has not responded to a request for comment.
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