Sapporo USA to close Stone Brewing facilities and lay off 220 workers

Sapporo USA is closing three Stone Brewing facilities in Escondido, California, and expects to lay off approximately 220 employees. The closures follow Sapporo’s sale of the Stone Brewing brand to Firestone Walker and Duvel Moortgat earlier this year.

The first phase of layoffs is scheduled to begin in October, affecting brewers, technicians, and warehouse, logistics, packaging, and quality assurance workers. The move marks the end of Stone’s two-decade operation at its longtime headquarters.

Sapporo is transitioning its remaining U.S. brewing operations to a single facility in Richmond, Virginia. While the Escondido facilities were not part of the sale to Firestone Walker, the brand and four hospitality locations were transferred. Production for the Stone brand is expected to move to Firestone Walker’s facilities in Paso Robles, California, and Kansas City, Missouri.