Conroe Brewery to Close After 20 Years
Conroe Brewery, a local brew-on-premises facility for hobbyists for nearly 20 years, closes April 20.
CONROE, Texas — A local tradition for amateur brewers and craft beer enthusiasts is coming to an end. Conroe Brewery, the long-standing brew-on-premises facility located at 1208 N. Frazier St., Suite F, will officially close its doors on Saturday, April 20.
Owner Jim Streety confirmed the news this week, marking the conclusion of a nearly 20-year run for the business. Since its inception in 2004, the brewery has served as a unique hub where hobbyists could use professional-grade equipment and receive expert guidance to craft, ferment, and bottle their own beer.
Streety, who brought a background in engineering from his tenure at Halliburton, purchased the business in 2009. Under his leadership, the shop became a community fixture, fostering a local culture of homebrewing that long predated the current explosion of commercial craft breweries in the Greater Houston area.
The decision to close was not made lightly, Streety said, but was necessitated by a confluence of economic headwinds. The business struggled to regain its pre-pandemic momentum following the 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns. Beyond declining foot traffic, Streety pointed to the rising costs of essential ingredients, insurance premiums, taxes, and the ongoing difficulty of securing consistent labor as insurmountable challenges.
The closure signals a complete wind-down of operations rather than a transition in ownership. Streety indicated that he is not pursuing a buyer for the business entity, opting instead to retire.
"It’s time to move on to the next chapter," said Streety, who plans to dedicate his retirement to travel and fishing. While the commercial operation is shuttering, Streety intends to keep a portion of his brewing equipment to continue the craft as a personal hobby at home.
The brew-on-premises model, which once saw significant popularity across the United States, has faced increased competition as the craft beer market matured. With affordable, high-quality craft options now available on nearly every corner, the niche for the "do-it-yourself" brewery has shifted significantly since the early 2000s.
As the final day of operation approaches, the brewery is inviting long-time customers and members of the local homebrewing community to stop by for a final commemorative event. Plans are underway for a "last brew" celebration on April 20 to honor the loyal patrons who have sustained the business over the last two decades.
For those looking to settle outstanding accounts or arrange for the pickup of current batches before the April 20 deadline, staff are encouraging customers to visit the facility during regular business hours or reach out through the brewery’s official contact channels at (936) 788-2337.