(Angers, February 5, 2026) — A local brewery in Angers, France, the Brasserie Angevine, has requested liquidation, marking the end of a six-year effort to revive craft brewing in the city.
The Brasserie Angevine, which aimed to be the first brewery in Angers since 1864, is closing its doors after struggling with financial difficulties.
- Benoit Durand, the founder of Brasserie Angevine, has filed for liquidation at age 56.
- The brewery, established in 2016, initially operated on avenue Patton before relocating to the Angers National Interest Market (MIN) in 2022.
- Durand, who previously worked in winemaking and IT, described a culture of silence surrounding struggles within the agricultural world.
- The closure comes despite a recent attempt to boost sales with a new brew released in mid-December for the holiday season.
Benoit Durand, 56, initiated the liquidation process after a professional life that included work in Sancerre winemaking and the IT sector, according to reporting from Ouest-France. The Brasserie Angevine was intended to fill a gap in the local market, becoming the first brewery in Angers since 1864 and the ninth in Maine-et-Loire, twelve years after the establishment of Piautre in La Ménitré by Vincent Lelièvre.
The brewery initially launched on avenue Patton before moving to the MIN in 2022, a move intended to revitalize the business following the COVID-19 pandemic, Ouest-France reported. Despite this relocation, the brewery was unable to overcome its financial challenges.
Durand, speaking from his warehouse at the MIN, described a stoic facade masking underlying difficulties. I am a child of the agricultural world. A world in which we don’t show our problems
he confided to Ouest-France. He expressed regret, stating, I probably could have held on a little longer
, though without strong conviction.
Why It Matters
The closure of Brasserie Angevine highlights the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses, particularly in the craft brewing industry. Despite a growing consumer interest in locally produced goods, factors such as rising costs and economic uncertainty can make it difficult for independent breweries to thrive. The brewery’s story also speaks to a broader cultural tendency within the agricultural sector to conceal financial struggles, potentially hindering access to support and resources. The liquidation of the Brasserie Angevine represents a loss for the local economy and the community of craft beer enthusiasts in Angers.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by Ouest-France and added independent analysis and context.
