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A successful North Carolina brewery started by a popular golden couple was abruptly forced to rebrand when the husband was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl he groomed on social media.
Justin Brigham, 44, and his now-estranged wife, Sarah Taylor, 41, had spent years dominating the local craft-beer scene as they ran their homegrown company, Sycamore Brewing, out of Charlotte.
But their storybook tale fell apart late last year when Brigham was hit with a slew of sickening charges — forcing the popular taproom to shut its doors briefly before reopening under a new name and owner just weeks ago.
The rebranding move is believed to be part of a last-ditch, behind-the-scenes effort to salvage whatever is left of the business’ once thriving reputation, the Daily Mail reported.
The sordid saga erupted when Brigham was nabbed Dec. 10 breaking into the young teen’s family’s home in the middle of the night and allegedly attacking her.
He had been grooming the youngster through Snapchat and text for two weeks, court documents alleged.
The girl’s parents, who were home at the time of the incident, called 911 after discovering him in the girl’s bedroom, authorities said.
Responding officers later found Brigham naked in his car outside, cops said.
He was hit with a slew of felony charges, including statutory rape of a child, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child.
Brigham’s wife swiftly filed for divorce and issued a public statement distancing herself and Sycamore Brewing from the alleged rapist.
The company said Brigham had been divested of his ownership in the wake of the charges and noted that his wife and co-founder was now solely in charge.
“The serious allegations against my former partner have left me devastated,” Taylor said in a statement.
“My deepest hope is that the legal process brings [the victim] the justice, care and protection they deserve.”
The fallout for the brewery was severe as scores of major retailers — including Publix and Lowe’s Foods — ripped the beer from their shelves.
In March, the taproom shuttered briefly before suddenly reopening as Club West Brewing.
The company is now owned by one of Sycamore Brewing’s former staffers, Brad Bergman, WCNC reported.
The rebrand and ownership shift was reportedly an attempt to provide a “fresh start” from the criminal case, according to the outlet.
Brigham, for his part, remains locked up on a $11 million bond.
He is due to face court again next month.
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