USA, FL: Lakeland Brewing Co. to close on January 8

Lakeland Brewing Co. and Old School Annex is calling it quits. Last call is scheduled for Jan. 8, The Ledger reported on December 28.

The city’s eponymous brewing operation survived just shy of three years, serving a stable of ales and lagers aimed at a mainstream clientele, including its whimsical Damn It, Janet, a red ale made with rye, and a mocha stout called One-Eyed Revenge.

Housed in a fully renovated building dating to 1945 that overlooks downtown’s scenic Lake Mirror, Lakeland Brewing never gained the kind of acclaim its owners anticipated, especially in building a large commercial following.

Still, as the city’s first independent microbrewery, it was viewed by some as a harbinger of the city’s increasing popularity as a destination for food and drink. The place had an upscale warehouse feel, with polished concrete floors, exposed rafters and furnishings made from materials salvaged during renovation.

The brewery and taproom opened in March 2015 after months of delays in construction and other setbacks. Ultimately, demand for its beer and food never flourished.

“That’s the way it goes,” said Usman Faruq of Lakeland, one of three partners in the enterprise along with his wife, Serena, and her brother, Francis Janes. “We put our heart and soul into it.”

Faruq declined to provide reasons for closing the business, except to say that the bank is foreclosing on the property at 640 E. Main St.

He and his partners have said in the past that their $1.5 million project was funded through a partnership between Florida First Capital Finance Corp. and Florida Traditions Bank.

In a message to customers posted Thursday on Facebook, the owners said “We have been honored to be a part of this great community and share our craft beers and bites for the last three years...we hope you continue to support other local microbreweries.”

Reaction from fans was swift.

“This makes me so very sad, such a treasure to have you in our community,” wrote Shannon Welch. “Your closing is a huge loss.”

And this from Jose Diaz: “This can’t be true.”

Dan Thumberg, a local brewer whose Swan Brewing Company is set to debut on Lakeland’s Lake Wire sometime in early 2018, said he was saddened by the demise of Lakeland Brewing Co.

“It serves me no good to not have them in town,” he said. “Concentration is good for everyone.”

Thumberg’s operation will include 30 taps, of which about 15 will serve beers made in-house, along with craft cider and soda. He said he gleaned a lot of information from Faruq and partners in the past few years, and is banking on not making some of the same mistakes.

Lakeland Brewing invested heavily in up-front costs before it had a chance to grow its business, Thumberg said.

Swan Brewing plans to grow slow and steady, and stay local rather than rush into distributing product beyond Polk, he said. “We’re super excited to get the operation underway.”

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