Sequoia Brewing Co. announced on its Facebook page Thursday it will close all three locations. A restaurant worker confirmed that Sunday would be the last day for the Fresno and Visalia brewpubs.

“My run of 27 years at the brewery has come to and end,” said head bartender Eric Buterbaugh on Facebook. “The amount of caring love, outrageous times, and legendary times could not be comprehended. Because it is immeasurable. Thank you all for letting me ride the best wave ever for all these decades. Cheers to you all!”

Sequoia Brewing a Staple in Tower District

Owners of Sequoia were not immediately available for comment. Responding to a post on a Tower District Facebook page, Buterbaugh blamed co-owner Jeremy Smith for “mismanaging” the business. Buterbaugh said bankruptcy had been filed, but bankruptcy filings for J&A Mash & Barrel — the business name — could not be found.

“But, there is a glimmer of hope in the works and Goonies never say die,” Buterbaugh wrote in his post.

Sequoia Brewing Co. — and before that, Butterfield Brewing — had long been anchors in Tower District. Previous owners Scott and Michele Kendall bought and rebranded Butterfield in 2000, turning it into Sequoia Brewing.

It would regularly have live music as well as a full menu and full bar.

They then opened a location at Champlain and Perrin avenues in northeast Fresno and later another in downtown Visalia.

Age Discrimination Lawsuit Against Sequoia Brewing

One employee, James Tomlinson sued Jeremy Smith and Sequoia Brewing for age discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, alleges Smith would “frequently” get drunk at work and refer to Tomlinson as “old man,” and ask if he needed a walker or a wheelchair.

The lawsuit states Tomlinson was improperly terminated.