Will County Brewing Closing After 8 Years Of Business: 'This Is Not A Choice We Ever Imagined Making'

SHOREWOOD, IL — After being a major force in the Joliet area beer market for the past eight years, the Will County Brewing Company in Shorewood announced on Thursday morning that it is closing in about two weeks. Will County Brewing is at 1142 West Jefferson Street next to Mauve Cocktail Lounge and the Happy Place Cafe.

"After eight incredible years serving the Shorewood community, we've made the difficult decision to close our doors. This is not a choice we ever imagined making. Over the past few years, the challenges facing small, independent breweries have grown in ways that have been hard to come," the Facebook announcement began. "Rising costs, changing industry dynamics and the everyday realities of running a small business have made it increasingly difficult to continue doing what we love in the way we believe it deserves."

Will County Brewing's closing announcement ended by stating, "we would still like to invite you to join us until our final toast on Saturday, April 18. Let's raise a glass together, share stories and celebrate everything we've built as a community. While this chapter is coming to a close, the memories we've created together will last a lifetime. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for eight unforgettable years."

Will County Brewing opened a second location in Channahon, in the former River Hawk Brewing, in 2023, but that location closed about a year and a half later.

The brewery is the latest to close in the Joliet and Will County area. Elder Brewing closed in 2024 after six years on Cass Street; MyGrain Brewing, located in the historic Union Station in downtown Joliet, closed in 2023, also after a six-year stint.

Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville also closed its doors in 2023. In Channahon, River Hawk Brewery closed in 2022.