Lincoln-based Zipline Brewing Company abruptly shuts down

Lincoln-based Zipline Brewing, which was once the state's largest craft brewery and one of its oldest still operating, has announced plans to close its brewing operations.

The company said in a Facebook post Thursday that it had made "the difficult decision to close its taproom and beer lounge and conclude its brewing operations, effective immediately."

Zipline said that while it is closing its brewing operations, beer hall and taproom, its Zipline Tap & Grill location in the Fallbrook development in northwest Lincoln will remain open.

"As we evolve into a restaurant-focused organization, we are grateful for the opportunity to continue welcoming customers in this next chapter," the Facebook post said.

A former worker at Zipline, who asked to remain anonymous to protect their chances at getting future employment, said the announcement came "completely out of the blue."

Operations appeared to be normal right up until the announcement was made, the employee said. Employees were called away from brewing a fresh batch and had just gotten equipment up to the temperature needed to proceed. All the equipment was shut down before the operation was completed.

About 18 full- and part-time staff members lost their jobs.

"The brewers were literally in the middle of making a batch of beer," the employee said.

A “warehouse-sized cooler” was full of product waiting to be shipped with a brand new IPA called "Galactic Enigma." Customers had stopped by to pick up fresh product, and workers anticipated it would be shipped out later in the day.

The beer hall, in Village Gardens near 56th Street and Pine Lake Road, was supposed to play host to a Republican event Friday with Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. After word of the event leaked out, many people flocked to social media to criticize the company, with some calling out its founders by name.

According to Jake Miller, a Zipline manager, the taproom received calls from angry and upset customers expressing "frustration seeing us represent that as the brand that they know and they love."

Employees were told the event was not political but were informed that some political figures may be attending. Details about the rally began appearing online before employees knew more.

A Ricketts campaign spokesman said a new venue has been selected for the rally. The number of RSVPs "doubled the size of Zipline's space," the spokesman said, and the change was not related to Zipline's closure.

Employees began being locked out of work accounts Thursday morning and were all told at an afternoon meeting that they were to gather their personal belongings and leave as soon as possible.

Employees also were told management had been attempting to sell the company for a couple of months, but the latest negotiations had not resulted in an agreement

AKRS Equipment Solutions -- a Nebraska John Deere dealer -- purchased Zipline about two or three years ago, according to employees. AKRS CEO Kevin Clark previously donated to the Ricketts campaign in 2024, and to Ricketts' current campaign. His personal contributions totaled $13,600. In 2023, AKRS donated $5,000 to the Nebraska Republican Party.

Zipline got its start in Lincoln in 2012 and quickly became a favorite among the state's craft beer aficionados. One of its signature beers, Copper Alt, has twice been named the best beer in the U.S. in its category. It also produced Dear Old Nebraska Brew -- a beer sold in Memorial Stadium.

At one time, it grew to be the state's largest craft brewer by volume. It expanded within Lincoln and also to Omaha over the years, although it shut down its Omaha operations.

It also shut down its Lincoln taproom in 2023 at its original location, around the time AKRS took over, saying it wanted to expand its brewing operations. It reopened the taproom last year.