CLOSURE: Craft brewery just shuttered its doors after nearly a decade in Toronto
Published January 2, 2026 at 12:59 pm
A local craft brewery that’s been in business for around eight years in Toronto just announced that they were closing down and shuttering their doors.
Goose Island Brewhouse was a brewery and restaurant that crafted their own beer and also served a menu of accessible gastropub favourites.
They’re especially known for their signature Goose IPA beer. They also brewed many other creative types of beers, including lagers, stouts, wheat ales, pale ales, pilsners and sours.
The brewhouse was equipped with a lovely courtyard patio enveloped in brick with an old historic feel and hops growing in a tiny garden. As a restaurant, Goose Island Brewhouse served up classic pub grub like pretzels, wings, burgers and fries.
The origins of Goose Island stretch all the way back to the 1980s when the brand was first started up in the Chicago area by the founder of the company named John Hall. In 2011 the brand was acquired by massive major brewing brand Anheuser-Busch. Goose Island still has physical pub and taprooms operating in Chicago.
“After more than 8 amazing years, we will be closing the Goose Island Brewhouse restaurant,” reads the caption to a post on social media from Goose Island Brewhouse. “Thank you to our neighbours and customers on The Esplanade for their continued support throughout the years. Although our restaurant doors will close, our passion for brewing lives on – we will continue crafting Goose IPA for our fans across Canada.”
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The post announcing the closure has over 350 likes and over 50 comments on Instagram from people who were dismayed to hear the news of the closing.
Sorry to see y’all leave,” one person commented. “I’ll cherish the good times had.”
“I’m sorry to hear this. Wish u all the best,” another person commented on the post.
“Oh, no! Devastating news. So many great people and times there,” someone else wrote.
“Oh nooo we’ll miss you guys,” said one person. Another person commented, “I had many great years at Goose Island- sad to hear!”
Someone else wrote in a comment, “Absolutely gutted, sorry you had to close guys. I always pop up when I can.”
One person commented that they were “scared you would stop making the beer” so it’s a relief to see they’ll still be brewing Goose IPA.
Someone else put it simply: “Solid spot. This sucks.”
The last day open for Goose Island Brewhouse in Toronto at 70 The Esplanade was Dec. 31, 2025.