On the eve of hosting a GOP rally with US Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), an iconic Lincoln-based brewery shuttered its doors.
The company, Zipline Brewing Co., has been drafting and distributing craft beer in Lincoln since opening in 2012, but said in a Thursday afternoon Facebook post that they’ve “made the difficult decision to close its taproom and beer lounge and conclude its brewing operations, effective immediately.”
However, Zipline said their tap and grill location in north Lincoln “will remain open and continue serving guests.” About 20 workers were let go due to the closure.
The reasoning offered for the closure has been a bit murky. A poster on the door of the brewery’s 56th and Pine Lake location cited inflation and rising expenses. Meanwhile, the company replied to its initial announcement on social media saying: “We also want to clarify that this decision was made some time ago as part of a business transition and is not related to any past or future events at Zipline.”
The scheduled event with Ricketts and Cruz drew criticism from some of the taproom’s regulars for “politicizing” the business. Former employees told Nebraska Public Media that they were unaware of the nature of the event until details began circulating on social media.
Zipline Brewing Co. operates as a privately held business. While some former Zipline employees have told media outlets that AKRS Equipment Solutions—a Nebraska John Deere dealer formed in 2020—acquired the brewery, a representative for AKRS told Lincoln’s 10/11 NOW that the business itself didn’t own stock in Zipline, but “a few managers at the top of AKRS had common ownership of the brewery.”
AKRS previously collaborated with Zipline on a co-branded ale. Kevin Clark, CEO of AKRS, has donated to several state GOP candidates in recent years, including Ricketts.
Clark’s recent donation history is as follows:
- September 30, 2023 – $2,900 – Adrian Smith (R), Nebraska 3rd District Congressman
- March 12, 2024 – $3,300 – Don Bacon (R), Nebraska 2nd District Congressman
- April 24, 2024 – $3,300 – Adrian Smith (R), Nebraska 3rd District Congressman
- May 14, 2024 – $3,300 – Pete Ricketts (R), US Senator for Nebraska
- November 1, 2024 – $3,300 – Pete Ricketts (R), US Senator for Nebraska
AKRS also made a $5,000 donation to the Nebraska Republican party in April 2023.
The rally with Ricketts and Cruz was ultimately moved to the Lincoln Country Club. The two sitting US senators took time during the event to criticize Ricketts’ opponent: Independent candidate for US Senate Dan Osborn.
In a statement, Osborn said he was glad to see Ricketts make a public appearance, but wished he would have taken more “tough questions.”
“It makes sense he was joined by his country club buddy Ted Cruz,” Osborn said. “Ricketts and Cruz are birds of a feather who are content to carry out the agenda of the billionaire Epstein class.”
“We are deeply thankful to every employee who poured their passion into Zipline, every customer who chose our beer, and every partner who helped us grow. We close this chapter with immense pride, sincere gratitude, and deep appreciation for the journey we have shared together,” Zipline said in their closing statement. “Cheers.”
