Oregon's legendary Ale Apothecary brewery is sold

• "This was always going to be temporary," Arney told Source Weekly. "Art is temporary."

Why it matters: For 14 years, The Ale Apothecary made some of the state's most interesting beers and became a nationwide cult favorite among beer aficionados, writes John Frank, Axios' resident beer expert.

What's next: The new owners will take over making its famous spontaneous beer, also known as wild ales, and plan to add "clean" styles such as pale ales to the tap list.

Thought bubble: On the day Arney signed the paperwork, he seemed sublime and celebratory, emptying his cellar with bottles from the early days without labels. He even signed a bottle of his Sahalie for me to take home to Colorado.

• Arney told me he didn't know what's next for him, but his departure is monumental given the brewery's national reputation.

Yes, but: The timing is not coincidental. Craft beer sales are down for the first time in the industry's history, and elevated beer like the creations at The Ale Apothecary is sadly no longer en vogue with the newest generation of beer drinkers.