Fox House Brewing, which opened in Bordentown City in March two years after it was first announced, is set to close its doors on June 29.
Owner Chris Campbell made the announcement on Instagram on June 17. He cited the failure of his brewing system as the main culprit, although not the only one.
Here is his post in full:
“Fox House will be closing permanently on Sunday, June 29th.
“NJ brewery laws require that you have a location, zoning variance, all the buildout done, and a certificate of occupancy with all the equipment installed before a license is issued. This is while paying rent the whole time. As I’m sure you remember, opening Fox House took way longer than anticipated. So I had to skimp on brewhouse equipment with the intention of buying something more reliable later on. But it collapsed last week. While I could buy a new system today, it would take months to have it built, installed, and finish new batches. So I would have to close for a while.
“I’m exhausted. I miss my wife and kids. So I’m taking this as an opportunity to bow out and hopefully hand it off to another brewery. While I’m disappointed and embarrassed, I would be even more disappointed and embarrassed had I not done something I could be proud of. And that’s what I did, for however fleeting a moment.
“Thank you all for the support you have given me and the enjoyment you have taken in patronizing Fox House. I’m sorry that I couldn’t do better.”
Fox House Brewing received many messages after posting. From Hamilton-based Bent Iron Brewing, which has also opened in the past year: “We’ve enjoyed having you as a part of the brewery community and look forward to your continued conection. Wishing you and your family all the best. Cheers to all your hard work!”
Little Dog Brewing Company, based in Neptune, wrote: No reason to be embarrassed … this is a tough business. Sorry I didn’t get out to see you! Cheers, and good luck, Chris!”
Rebeccas Vintage Boutique and Consignments, also a Farnsworth Avenue business, wrote: “We are so sorry to hear this. You will be missed and were lovely to have. We admire your ability to see the good in this, and how it will bring you closer to what matters to you the most!”
Leaping Dog Art Studios wrote: “So sad to hear this news! Yours was such a nice addition to the downtown businesses.”
According to Untappd, Fox House Brewing has launched 17 beers in its short time open, including its most popular beer, Kneecap, an Irish red ale; A Quiet Life, a pilsner-style ale; and Some Words to the Close and Holy Darkness, a dry Irish stout.
I have written about many breweries in my time as an editor, and most of the people I have met in the craft brewing business have been lovely people. But Chris Campbell was without a doubt among the loveliest, most open and honest, but also most vulnerable people I’ve met while writing these stories. The Bordentown Current wishes Chris, his wife Abby, and their family the best in their future endeavors.
The brewery is set to remain open through the end of June, presumably so as to wind down existing beer inventory. Web: foxhousebrewing.com.
Chris and Abby Campbell behind the bar at Fox House Brewing in Bordentown City. (Photo courtesy of the Downtown Bordentown Association/Facebook.),
