Cork’s Franciscan Well brewery to cease production in new year

The long-standing Cork brewery behind some of the city’s best-known local brands has announced it will cease production in the new year.

The Franciscan Well brewery in Cork will close after Christmas, its owner Molson Coors said on Monday, adding that the decision has “not been taken lightly.”

The closure will impact 15 staff members, the company confirmed.

In a statement, the company said: "It is with a heavy heart that today we announce we will cease production of the Franciscan Well brands early in the New Year and as a result, propose to close our Franciscan Well brewery in Cork.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are providing our 15 impacted employees with every support.

"Over the past decade we have invested in the Franciscan Well Brewery and the brand portfolio, most recently refreshing the visual brand identity in November 2022, and releasing new product development with Well Hazy in early 2023 and the Docklands Series in 2024.

"Unfortunately, despite great work from the team, in the face of a challenging craft beer category and other economic pressures impacting our customers and consumers, it has not been possible to grow the brands to the level needed to sustain the brewery as part of our UK and Ireland production network.

"Our local distribution partner will be working with customers in the coming weeks.

"We have entered into a consultation process with our impacted employees and will work through this process with integrity and respect for everyone affected.  We will seek redeployment for all displaced employees wherever possible.

"We understand the special place the Franciscan Well brewery and brands have in the local community and remain open to conversations with interested parties about the future of the brewery and brands."

Molson Coors bought the craft brewery back in 2013, at the start of a wave of investment into small and craft beer businesses across the country.

Founded in 1998, the Franciscan Well brewery is located on Cork’s docklands and produces popular drinks such as Chieftain IPA, Rebel Red, Well Hazy, Shandon Stout and the Docklands Series.