Greenbush Brewing Co. in Southwest Michigan Permanently Closes

Southwest Michigan has said goodbye to a local favorite. Just shy of its fifteenth birthday, a Berrien County brewery has permanently closed its doors.

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How Greenbush Brewing Got Its Start

Greenbush Brewing Co. first opened in Sawyer in the summer of 2011. The brewery was founded by Scott Sullivan, who didn’t originally plan to open a brewery. After getting into homebrewing while recovering from an injury, what started as a hobby quickly grew when friends encouraged him to sell his beer.

Greenbush Brewing Co. via Facebook

That leap of faith turned into Greenbush, and it didn’t take long for people to take notice.

Within a few years, the brewery built a loyal following and became known as one of Michigan’s standout craft beer destinations, helping turn downtown Sawyer into a must-visit stop in Harbor Country.

Growth Turned It Into a Destination

The space grew along with its popularity. In 2013, Greenbush expanded to include a full kitchen, serving up burgers, sandwiches, pizza, tacos, and more. They also added an outdoor patio and a retail and BBQ area known as the Annex. It became more than just a brewery. It was a place people planned trips around.

Greenbush Brewing Co. via Facebook

Its beers eventually made their way into stores across the state. In 2019, ownership expanded with a second location in South Bend, Indiana, which later closed in 2022 following financial struggles tied in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the original Sawyer location has reached the end of its run.

Closure Announcement and What Led to It

On April 15, Sullivan confirmed on Facebook that Greenbush Brewing Co. has officially closed. Pointing to ongoing economic challenges, he wrote:

After fourteen years, ten months and three days Greenbush is saying uncle. There have been some high highs and some low lows but at the end of the day, we intended to create a place where the community could gather over good food and good beer... We could point to a lot of things in the world economy that finally brought us to a dead end but everyone reads the news and looks around. As is always the case when something ends, the dusty crevices of the inter webs will be rife with speculation, but the simple reality is that the restaurant world is hurting and we were no exception.

He thanked all who supported Greenbush over the years.

The day before the announcement, the brewery held a sale offering 50 percent off merchandise and canned beer, a move that, in hindsight, signaled what was coming.

Community Reacts to the Closure

Since the news broke, longtime customers have been sharing memories and reflecting on what the brewery meant to the area.

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“I don't think it's hyperbole to say that Greenbush is or was the cornerstone of the Harbor Country brewing economy and tourism experience,” Jeff wrote. “Beyond tragic that the ride is over.”

Another customer, Michael, shared, “I was at BG’s opening 15 years ago and for many years afterwards it was one of my favorite places to be. Sad to see the end. It was a great place for a long time.”