Sapporo USA is set to lay off 220 workers at three Stone Brewing locations in Escondido, California, as the production of the Stone craft beer brand shifts to other facilities in California and Missouri [1]. The layoffs will begin with 58 workers on October 19, according to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letters filed by Sapporo with the state [1]. The workforce reductions follow Sapporo's sale of the Stone Brewing brand and select hospitality locations to Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Duvel Moortgat USA, a transaction announced in April and closed on May 15 [1].
Under the terms of the deal, Stone beer production is transitioning from Escondido to Firestone Walker's brewery in Paso Robles, California, and Duvel USA's Boulevard brewery in Kansas City, Missouri [1]. The acquisition included Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens at Liberty Station in San Diego, as well as taprooms in Little Italy, Oceanside, and Pasadena, but did not include Stone's Escondido brewery and bistro [1]. Sapporo had previously stated it would continue producing Stone beer at its Escondido and Richmond, Virginia, breweries during a transition period and would continue operating the Escondido bistro while evaluating long-term options for the site [1].
Sapporo USA CEO Zach Keeling explained that the company is winding down the Escondido brewery in phases after failing to find a viable long-term solution for the property, and emphasized support for affected employees during this transition [1]. Firestone Walker and Duvel indicated in April that they expected to offer jobs to a significant number of Stone employees in hospitality, sales, and marketing, while production roles would be evaluated as brewing shifted to their facilities [1].
Stone Brewing, founded in Southern California in 1996, was acquired by Sapporo in 2022 before the recent sale as Sapporo refocuses its U.S. resources on its namesake beer [1]. The Stone brand will continue under Firestone Walker and Duvel USA, with the Liberty Station location remaining both a hospitality venue and an active brewery [1].
CONCLUSION
Sapporo USA's decision to lay off 220 Stone Brewing workers marks a significant shift in the company's U.S. operations as production moves to new facilities under Firestone Walker and Duvel USA. While some hospitality and sales roles may be retained, the layoffs reflect Sapporo's strategic focus on its core brand and the ongoing consolidation in the craft beer industry.