One of Nebraska’s biggest craft breweries is closing its doors.
Zipline Brewing of Lincoln announced in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon that they will close their taproom and beer lounge and conclude brewing operations, effective immediately. Zipline Tap & Grill will stay open, and they will shift to a restaurant-only operation.
Founded in 2012, the brewery quickly became a favorite in the state. They brewed one of the craft beers served at Memorial Stadium this past year, Dear Old Nebraska Brew. They also brewed AKRS Ale in partnership with AKRS Equipment, one of Nebraska’s largest John Deere implement dealerships. AKRS Equipment Solutions would later purchase Zipline Brewing.
Zipline’s Altbier Copper Alt was the winner of a gold medal at the 2023 World Beer Cup, known as the “The Olympics of Beer Competitions” and one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It was also a winner of gold medals at US-based beer competitons.
The beer hall was set to be the host of an evet with Senators Pete Ricketts and Ted Cruz on Friday. That event has already been moved to a different location, according to Nebraska Public Media.
Nebraska’s craft brewing scene has seen some high-profile closures in the past year. Omaha’s Nebraska Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy last April, and closed in October. McCook’s Loop Brewing Company closed in May, and Grand Island’s Prairie Pride Brewing Co closed at the end of 2025.
Nationwide, the number of breweries in the United States is shrinking. According to the Brewers Association’s 2025 Year in Beer report, 434 breweries closed their doors last year, while only 268 opened. There were also more breweries closing rather than opening in 2024 as well, according to the association.