Proclamation Ale Company closing after 12 years

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Proclamation Ale Company has announced it will be closing its doors after more than a decade in business, citing financial strain and ongoing challenges behind the scenes.

In a message shared on social media, owner Lori Witham described the decision as difficult, saying the brewery had been quietly facing hardships despite appearing to thrive publicly.

According to the statement, the business has spent the past six years dealing with a costly legal battle involving a minority partner. The situation, combined with the sudden loss of founder Dave Witham, Lori’s husband, in December 2020, placed significant pressure on the company. She said the legal expenses limited financial flexibility and drained resources that could have been reinvested into the business.

The brewery also faced broader industry challenges, including lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic shifts, and changing consumer habits.

“Every single day, the entire Proclamation team worked incredibly hard to keep pushing forward,” Witham said in the post. “But eventually, there comes a time when you have to accept there are no more paths.”

Proclamation Ale Company has been a staple in Rhode Island’s craft beer scene for 12 years, building a loyal following and becoming a well-known name in the local industry.

The taproom will remain open during normal hours until inventory runs out or operations can no longer continue. Customers are encouraged to visit in the coming days to support the business and help give it a proper send-off.

“Thank you for showing up on day one, and for continuing to show up for 12 years,” Witham said.

The brewery said additional updates will be shared as they become available.