4 by 4 Brewing files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Springfield-based 4 by 4 Brewing Co. LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Jan. 15 filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri lists assets of $454,110 against liabilities of $6.4 million. The bankruptcy filing estimates up to 49 creditors.

Among creditors with the largest unsecured claims are Arvest Bank, with a total of $3.4 million, the U.S. Small Business Administration, at $983,000, and SWMO Management LLC, at $500,000, according to the filing.

In a statement provided to Springfield Business Journal this morning, 4 by 4 Brewing ownership said its operations would continue as normal through the bankruptcy process.

"This move is about protecting the future of 4 by 4, not ending it," the statement reads. "Like many small breweries, we've faced significant financial headwinds in recent years.

"This restructuring allows us to realign our finances, strengthen operations and keep doing what we love serving our community and brewing great beer."

The statement indicates 4 by 4 Brewing is working with an undisclosed third-party investor to help fund operations.

"Working with a private investor gives us more flexibility and stability," the statement reads. "It's the right move for our staff, our customers and our community."

Prior to the bankruptcy filing, 4 by 4 Brewing announced plans for and then canceled a crowdfunding effort in 2025, according to past reporting. The statement indicates the company moved forward with the third-party investment agreement in lieu of the crowdfunding campaign. 

Through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, a company is restructured and supervised by a court-appointed trustee to reorganize its operations and finances, according to Investopedia.com. 

The company operates locations in Springfield and Nixa. Its first location opened in Galloway Village in 2017, followed by its Nixa brewery in 2023 at 9903 Sawgrass Ave., adjacent to Fremont Hills Country Club.

On Springfield Business Journal's 2025 list of the area's largest breweries, 4 by 4 Brewing ranked No. 3, with 2,400 barrels produced in 2024. That represented a 9% increase from 2023, according to SBJ list research, and the company reported 30 employees for the ranking published Dec. 8.