'I Would Change Nothing' Buffalo Bill's Brewery In Hayward Closes

HAYWARD, CA — "Today, the road I chose 33 years ago comes to an end," begins a farewell note penned by Buffalo Bill’s Brewery owner Geoff Harries and posted on the brewery's Instagram page.

America's first brewpub, founded in 1983, closed earlier this month.

"Buffalo Bill's grew from 3 employees to 80, from 25 customers/day to 800, from renting to owning, from 1800 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft, expanding from beer to spirits, and distribution to 46 states and back down again. I came close to bankruptcy several times, digging out with credit cards, refinancing my home and risking everything. But I always found a way out and a way back on the path to success and preserving this very special place."

Harries told wild tales about the brewpub and over-the-top antics of workers, declaring in his post that he would change nothing, and noted that Buffalo Bill's was inducted into "the Smithsonian American History Museum as the most historic brewpub in America."

Unfortunately, while his business was able to survive previous economic downturns, it could not survive COVID closures and restrictions.

"The shutting down of full service restaurants was more than Buffalo Bill's could withstand," Harries told Patch. "We gave it our best shot, but in the end if I did not close and sell the real estate I would have had to declare bankruptcy and lose my home. Having already lost so much, I had to try salvage whatever I could."

Harries is liquidating everything. "I am in the process of selling the Buffalo Bill's real estate, fixtures, and equipment, as well as the Russell City Distillery property, fixtures, and equipment. It's all being sold as one package."

Anyone interested in trying their hand at brewing or distilling, the listing agent is Steve Zimmerman with Restaurant Realty Company.