Costco sparks backlash after discontinuing ‘one of the best lagers’ fans have ever had
Costco shoppers are distraught to learn that the warehouse club may have dropped some of its award-winning beers for good, with one calling it ‘bad news for the craft industry’.
Less than two years after signing on the dotted line, Costco’s partnership with Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery is reportedly coming to a halt.
As a result, two beers currently sold under the Kingland Signature label are set to cease to exist, and fans have expressed their utter dismay online.
“Oh man. This stinks. Loved this beer. Know what I'm getting when I go there next,” said one grieving Redditor.
Advert
A second replied: “One of the best lagers I've ever had. This is quite unfortunate.”
“I just fell to my knees in Costco,” another responded, while a fourth typed: “We were just enjoying them ice cold on a hot 4th of July afternoon while in the pool.
"Sad to hear we won't have them next summer. Guess I'll stock up while I can.”
“This seriously p***es me off, I grab two twelve packs every time I go to Costco. Guess I’m gonna have to grab like 10 next time. This stuff was seriously great for the price.”
They continued: “Guess my beer snob neighbour who refused to even try it because it said ‘Kirkland’ gets the last laugh.”
Craft Business Daily reported that on July 1, Costco and Deschutes Brewery would be bringing down the curtain on the Kirkland Signature Helles-Style Lager and Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale.
The items, priced at $13.99 for a 12-pack, have been described by American Craft Beer as ‘one of the best bargains in craft beer, winning over shoppers who might never have picked up a Deschutes six-pack at their local bottle shop.’
The Helles-Style Lager picked up a silver medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup and won bronze in 2026.
Despite their popularity, both beloved items are expected to disappear from warehouse shelves by September or October.
This means enthusiasts still have a bit of time to get their hands on the alcoholic drinks.
Neither Costco nor Deschutes has publicly explained why the agreement is ending. The former has also not yet indicated whether another independent brewery will step in to produce future Kirkland craft beers.
However, Deschutes CEO Peter Skrbek, who said production of the Kirkland beers will begin scaling back immediately, claimed he ‘wouldn’t be too surprised if the lager makes a return at some point’ under a different arrangement.
FOODbible has contacted both Costco and Deschutes Brewery for comment.
Ella Scott