One of the Sarasota area's longest-running breweries has announced it will temporarily close its popular taproom as it undergoes remodeling under new ownership.
Motorworks Brewing, at 1014 Ninth St. W. in Bradenton near the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training home LECOM Park, stated in a social media post that effective Tuesday, Aug. 4, it "will temporarily close for an extensive remodel" and "hope to reopen on February 1, 2027, under new ownership and new management, with a refreshed space and an exciting new chapter ahead."
"To our amazing guests, musicians, vendors, employees, and community partners — thank you for your incredible support, loyalty and memories over the years," the statement read. "We are truly grateful to have been part of
this incredible community."
What is the history of Motorworks Brewing?
Opened in 2014, Motorworks Brewing is known for beers such as its Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA, V Twin Vienna Lager and Midnight Espresso Coffee Porter. It also earned national attention for its Adoptable Lager, with beer cans featuring art of adoptable dogs, when it appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2020.
The brewery's taproom was popular for its full-liquor drink menu and a beer garden with a century-old oak tree and a covered stage for live music and other entertainment. Just earlier this year, Motorworks Brewing was named the ninth best beer garden in USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards, with the accompanying blurb stating that "Games, music, and ample space give the beer garden a lively, social energy well suited to the Gulf Coast climate."
Yet as previously reported by the Herald-Tribune, Motorworks Brewing has faced recent legal issues including being named as a defendant in a foreclosure lawsuit filed May 21, according to court documents. Motorworks Brewing also in May closed its downtown Orlando taproom, which opened in 2020, according to the Orlando Business Journal.
It has been a tumultuous time for the Sarasota-Manatee craft beer scene. Fellow Bradenton brewery 3 Keys Brewing & Gastrobrew permanently closed after a final day of business May 31. Sarasota's Big Top Brewing Company also left its former locations on Cattlemen Road and in Lakewood Ranch and sold its Fruitville Commons property, where they remain open and operating after leasing the building.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Longtime Bradenton brewery announces temporary closure
