Stone Brewing, San Diego’s largest craft brewer, is changing hands again

Key Points:

• Stone Brewing, San Diego’s largest craft brewer and a Sapporo USA subsidiary, has agreed to be acquired by Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Duvel Moortgat USA, signaling an end to widespread production in San Diego County.
• The deal, expected to close this summer, will bring Stone’s beers, Liberty Station beer garden, and several taprooms under Firestone Walker while maintaining Stone’s brand identity; however, the Escondido brewing facility and bistro are excluded.
• Both Stone and Firestone Walker have experienced declining production volumes amid a challenging U.S. craft beer market, prompting consolidation to sustain operations and leverage combined strengths.
• Post-acquisition, Stone’s production will move to Firestone Walker’s Paso Robles facility and Duvel USA’s Missouri brewery, with Duvel handling eastern U.S. distribution and Firestone Walker covering the western U.S. and national accounts.
• Sapporo, which acquired Stone in 2022 for about $165 million, is divesting to focus on its core brand and growth in the U.S., while efforts continue to find a new operator for the Escondido facility to preserve approximately 300 jobs.