By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Oak Mountain Brewing Company, a brewery located in Pelham, announced that it is closing its doors. The announcement was made on Friday, Feb. 7 via the company’s Facebook page.

“Due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, OMBC is currently closed for the foreseeable future,” the statement read. “We will update everyone as soon as possible if we are able to reopen.”

The company opened to the public on Jan. 22, 2021, and was founded by Peter Genereux and Clay Baldwin.

The duo wanted to capitalize on the increasing popularity of local breweries across the country at the time while making high-quality local beer available for Pelham residents.

Genereux and Baldwin have an extensive history in the alcohol business, with Genereux previously working as a beer and wine distributor for Alabama Crown while Baldwin previously served as the head brewer at the now defunct Ghost Train.

In a previous interview, Genereux explained why he and Baldwin decided to open the business in Pelham specifically.

“I always thought that this area was underserved,” Genereux said. “When the Birmingham Bulls started playing here, with Oak Mountain State Park being here and with LiveNation putting money into their property, it seemed like a great place that we could be a part of for the city.”

Beginning in 2023, Shelby County, the city of Pelham, and the Alabama Department of Revenue have pursued court action against OMBC for non-payment of sales taxes. The state revenue department filed a lien on Feb. 20, 2024 that stated the brewery owed more than $5,000 in taxes.

The city of Pelham was subsequently awarded a judgment of more than $100,000 against OMBC on July 12, 2024. Furthermore, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, which was located near the brewery, closed its doors last year, shifting commerce and economic output in the area.

No further information, including the motive for the company’s closure, is available at this time. For more information on Oak Mountain Brewing Company, visit its website at Oakmountainbrewing.com.