Sadly, I have another brewery closure to announce. This time it is that of Buck Wild Brewing, an award-winning gluten-free brewery in Oakland’s Jack London Square District.
Buck Wild was 100% gluten-free, from the brews to the bites, and one of the few places around where celiacs and gluten-sensitive folk could confidently order from the entire menu, and just relax and enjoy their drinks and food. And, the brews and the food were both good. Very good.
A week ago Buck Wild’s management announced on Instagram that they would be shuttering the brewery after service on April 28th (tomorrow). Today, staff at the brewery told me that the reasons were entirely financial, which is no surprise, considering that the craft-brew market has slowed in recent years and the glute-free and alternative grains beer market is very niche.
Such breweries have to depend on accessing a very specific market sector, and must do it based entirely on on-premise sales and cans. It is nearly impossible for such breweries to get tap handles in place at bars and restaurants and still be able to maintain the gluten-free guarantee for their products, without the cost and difficulty of installing new, dedicated equipment.
Buck Wild’s demise will leave a big hole in the region’s brew scene, which most will not notice, but celiacs and gluten-sensitive drinkers will likely feel deeply.