The owners of Blue Pants Brewery, one of Madison County’s best-known craft beer makers, said today they will close the brewery and tap room’s doors on Aug. 23 after nine years of operations. Owners Allison “Blue” and Mike “Pants” Spratley said on Facebook that “recent events and negotiations” had made them "no longer able to continue doing business at our current location.”

The post says the couple decided to take the opportunity to “pursue other ventures” and close the brewery and tap room in Madison, Ala. Read the full letter below.

“This is the end of an era for our business and our family, and we are sad to see it come," the post said. "However, we are excited for what the future holds and the opportunity this gives us to explore new ideas and new passions.” The owners said they would try to keep several of their signature beer creations on stores shelves “for awhile longer” through contracts with other Alabama breweries.

The taproom will close after Friday, Aug. 23, and the Spratleys invited friends and customers to stop by then for “one last celebration with unreasonably good beer, cocktails, live music, and food.”