Sudwerk Brewing Co. halts craft beer distribution to focus on Davis restaurant

A Davis brewing company is scaling back its distribution operations to focus on craft beers at its longtime restaurant.

Sudwerk Brewing Co. announced the change June 1 on Facebook.

“As the way people enjoy beer continues to change, we have chosen to focus our efforts through our restaurant, events, and community partnerships while pausing broad distribution,” the company said.

The company’s beers will remain on tap at its restaurant at 2001 2nd Street in Davis and through community events and local partners.

“This shift allows us to focus on smaller-batch brewing and stay closely connected to the customers we serve,” the company said.

What to know about Sudwerk Brewing Co.

Founded in 1989, the brewery began as an effort to “share the high-quality, familiar taste of true German lagers” and became a pioneer in the craft beer industry, the company said.

Its beer-making process is grounded in German brewing methods but blended with West Coast craft beer practices, the company said.

In 2021, Sudwerk Brewing Co. won Brewer and Brewery of the Year in the 5,001 – 15,000 Barrels category from the Great American Beer Festival.