This is horrible. Alabama has some of the most restrictive, draconian, and illogical alcohol laws of any state, making it generally unprofitable to start micro-breweries here. Losing Huntsville's only micro-brewery is a big loss. We may not see another for many, many years.

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Damn it :(

This really does suck a big fat one. I hope they rebuild. I love their hefeweizen.

I wonder if it was started by fireworks... I mean, 2:30am on the night of July 4th. Seems a little conspicuous.

Did you know that 98 of the Top 100 "Best Beers" are illegal in Alabama?

Also, a brewpub in Alabama can only exist in buildings that existed before prohibition.

Alabama is the only state with those backwards beer laws. When it came up for a vote recently in Montgomery, the law makers can up with the most asinine excuses for keeping the laws. I don't think a light-footed Kevin Bacon can save us now.

I agree, we need to do away with these ridiculous laws restricting brewery construction. There's probably some dry county lobbyists that are behind the effort to keep them. Fine if you want a dry county, but for those of us that want it, we should be able to enjoy a good local beer every now and again.

I hope they can salvage the building somehow and re-open. Hopefully Huntsville won't allow this to ruin all chances of another brewery in town. Who doesn't like a beer or two after work?

I am one of the owners of OTBC. We appreciate everyone's comments and support. Alabama laws are oppressively restrictive, and it has taken us 3 years to reach a point where we were within reach of breaking even. So it will take another sizable investment to get us up and running--but we are committed to this. We are already looking for a new location, and we will reopen. We thank you for your past support, and solicit your ongoing support when we reopen.

Howard,
Will continue to keep you and the others affected in our prayers. When Old Towne reopens myself and the other admins will do all we can to help promote the event both on our website and locally. Most of us are Huntsville residents and many of us are beer-lovers, so we want to see Olde Towne succeed.

I am glad to hear it Howard. It's good to know you're dedicated about what you do. I enjoy the OTBC brews, and hope to keep doing so in the future. It's just unfortunate that our laws are so backwards. I know that's probably a difficulty that wasn't entirely behind you before your building was lost. Now it's probably rearing it's ugly face again. Perhaps one day soon those laws will change.

Until then (and beyond then, for that matter), best wishes, and know that you have ongoing support from your community!