VISALIA, CA — Lake Bottom Brewery permanently closed its locations in both Visalia and Corcoran at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. The move leaves two historic downtown buildings vacant.
Management blamed financial struggles and a steady drop in sales for the closures.
Local Operations
Founder Fred Figueroa opened the original brewery at 1017 Whitley Ave. in Corcoran. The business served as a brewery, distillery, and restaurant inside a historic bank building.
The Visalia branch opened in 2017 at 105 E. Main St. inside another former bank. The building featured a unique design, including a large vault door from the Diebold Safe & Lock Co.
Market Pressures
The Visalia location struggled in a crowded market, with five other craft beer businesses operating within just a few blocks downtown.
Additionally, the "Dry January" health challenge—where participants give up alcohol for the month—hurt sales at the start of 2026. This annual trend often leads to a significant sales slump for local bars and breweries.
National Industry Decline
The local closures follow a trend seen across the country. According to data from the Brewers Association, the craft beer industry saw a major drop in business throughout 2025.
In 2025, 434 breweries closed nationwide while only 268 opened. This was the second year in a row that closures outnumbered openings in the U.S.
