# Sapporo USA Stone Brewing facility closures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sapporo-usa-stone-brewing-facility-closures
> Updated: 2026-08-26T20:30:55.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Sapporo USA is winding down Stone Brewing operations in Escondido, California, resulting in the closure of three facilities and approximately 220 layoffs. The initial phase of layoffs, affecting various roles including brewers, technicians, and logistics staff, is scheduled to begin in October.

The closures follow Sapporo’s sale of the Stone Brewing brand to Firestone Walker and Duvel Moortgat earlier in the year. While the Escondido facilities were not included in that sale, 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. Meanwhile, Sapporo is transitioning its remaining U.S. brewing operations to a single facility in Richmond, Virginia.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Sapporo USA to close Stone Brewing facilities and lay off 220 workers

Sapporo USA will close Stone Brewing’s Escondido facilities and lay off approximately 220 workers following the brand's sale to Firestone Walker.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sapporo-usa-to-close-stone-brewing-facilities-and-lay-off-220-workers

### 2026-08-21: Stone Brewing to close Escondido facilities and lay off 220 workers

Stone Brewing is closing three Escondido, California locations and moving production to Paso Robles and Kansas City, resulting in planned layoffs for 220 employees.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stone-brewing-to-close-escondido-facilities-and-lay-off-220-workers

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Cite as: Sapporo USA Stone Brewing facility closures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sapporo-usa-stone-brewing-facility-closures