Restaurant Closing: River Market Brewery

The River Market Brewery at 5th and Walnut had been up for sale several months, and while there was speculation about a buyer (including another town’s microbrewery) one did not materialize. As of Sunday, the brewery has closed “indefinitely.”

The last six months have not been kind to the River Market area or breweries in general. Delaware Cafe closed at the beginning of the year and there’s been no word on any restaurant moving into the spot. In October, Parkville’s Power Plant brewery closed. Despite rumors to the contrary around the beer blogosphere, that space remains vacant.

The River Market Brewery, which opened in 1994, advertised itself as “downtown’s first brewery since prohibition.” While the beer had consistency problems, there were some good choices and a small but loyal following. But the location went up for sale around the time Gordon Biersch opened in the Power & Light District.