Last call for Mathews Brewing Co.
Ready to retire, founder Dave Mathews is closing his popular Lake Worth Beach taproom after a farewell concert March 13
Mathews Brewing Co., the popular Lake Worth Beach craft brewery watering hole, is closing after nearly 10 years. Owner David Mathews says it’s time to retire.
“I turned 62 last year and my goal was to retire back to Tampa once I hit this milestone,’’ he told the Lake Worth Beach Independent today.
The last day is March 13 when a Cranberries tribute band will perform a farewell concert.
“The brewery was my fun project after I sold my engineering company 11 years ago,’’ he said, “but it’s time to pivot once again and get back to my hometown to be closer to my family. It’s not a distress closing, just retiring.’’
He said he plans to sell the brewery building and equipment.
Also closing: the brewery’s Scratch Kitchen, which opened across the alley from the brewery in 2024 with help from a $35,000 Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency grant. It could re-open as a new concept, he said.
Mathews Brewery, as locals know it, opened at 130 South H St. in 2017 as Lake Worth Beach’s first independent craft brewery and taproom, with help from a $10,000 CRA grant.
Mathews sold his engineering firm and bought the brewery building, the old Lake Worth Herald site, for $475,000 in March 2016, property records show.
After the taps started flowing in 2017, the brewery quickly blossomed into a popular hangout with an outdoor garden that hosts live concerts by tribute bands covering the likes of Tom Petty, The Cars, Pearl Jam, The Cure and more.
But last year, he felt like he was ready to move on to his next chapter, moving back to Tampa where he grew up. His father is 87.
“I had a lot of fun this past 10 years. It’s been a quick 10 years but last year I definitely felt like slowing down and just wanted to get back home to be close to my family. If I don’t do it now then I’m going to be 63 and 64 and 65,’’ he said.
“I’ve been trying to get back to Tampa for 30 years so I am finally going to do it.’’
He said the closing will affect two full-time employees and about 10 part-time workers, who have other full-time jobs.
“A lot of places just close and don’t give anybody any notice. But I didn’t want to go out like that,’’ said Mathews, who brew his first beer in his garage in 1998.
He said he told Mayor Betty Resch about his plans last week. He went public this morning with a post on the Mathews Brewing Facebook page about a “farewell tour” of cover bands in the coming weeks.
“My phone is blowing up like crazy,’’ he said. “I know it’s bittersweet and people love the place. It’s been a lot of fun.’’
He is hoping the community comes out in the next few weeks to say goodbye.
“I’ve got a lot of great bands lined up,’’ he said. “We will do some drink and swag specials and try to have a lot of fun until we close the doors on the 13th (of March).’’
I would think he could sell it as a business instead of closing it down!