A well-known brewery in North Carolina, established by a couple popularly referred to as the Golden Couple, has unexpectedly undergone a rebranding. This change comes after the husband was arrested on charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl he groomed online.
Justin Brigham, 44, and his now estranged wife Sarah Taylor, 41, had been key players in the local craft beer scene, operating Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte.
However, the once-thriving taproom closed temporarily late last year as Brigham faced serious allegations. It reopened recently under a new name and ownership, marking a significant shift in its identity.
This rebranding seems to be an effort to salvage the brewery’s reputation. Reports suggest that this was a last-resort strategy following the fallout from the incident.
The troubling details came to light on December 10 when Brigham was arrested for reportedly breaking into the home of a young teenager and assaulting her.
Documents indicate that Brigham had been communicating with the girl over Snapchat and text messages for about two weeks leading up to the incident.
When her parents discovered him in their daughter’s room, they called 911. Officers arriving at the scene encountered Brigham outside in a car, naked.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including statutory rape, first-degree robbery, and committing lewd acts against a child.
In the wake of the arrest, Taylor moved quickly to file for divorce, publicly distancing herself and the brewery from Brigham. It was stated that he had been stripped of ownership, leaving Taylor as the sole proprietor.
“I am devastated by the serious allegations against my ex-partner,” she expressed. “My deepest hope is that the legal process will lead to justice for the victim.”
The brewery faced significant backlash, with major retailers like Publix and Lowe’s Foods removing its products from store shelves.
After a brief closure, the taproom reopened as Club West Brewing, now under the ownership of former Sycamore staff member Brad Bergman.
This shift in branding and ownership is seen as an attempt to create a fresh start amidst the ongoing legal troubles for Brigham, who remains on an $11 million bond and is set to appear in court again next month.
