From the editor: Wild news coming out of Paso Robles today. 30 year old Firestone Walker Brewing with parent company Duvel USA has reached an agreement to purchase the Stone Brewing brand and certain properties from Sapporo USA. While we didn’t see this coming, we should have, as Sapporo dropped Anchor Brewing not soon after acquiring them.
(PASO ROBLES, CA) – Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Duvel Moortgat USA today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement with Stone Brewing, a subsidiary of Sapporo USA, to acquire the Stone Brewing brand, as well as select hospitality locations, bringing one of America’s foundational craft breweries into a family of like-minded brewers.
At the heart of the next chapter for Stone Brewing is a shared commitment to craft, a fearless spirit, and long-term brand building. Firestone Walker will serve as Stone’s West Coast home, offering a natural fit rooted in California brewing culture, with the scale and experience to support Stone’s continued evolution.
The acquisition includes four Stone Brewing hospitality locations: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens at Liberty Station in San Diego, along with tap rooms in San Diego (Little Italy), Oceanside, and Pasadena. The Liberty Station location will continue to operate as both a hospitality destination and an active brewing facility, maintaining Stone’s physical presence in San Diego.
The partnership is designed to accelerate Stone into the future, while staying true to the character that has defined it for three decades. Like Stone, Firestone Walker was founded in 1996 and is widely regarded as one of California’s leading craft brewers. Firestone Walker will play a central role in supporting Stone’s future, as the two coastal breweries together represent a powerful expression of California’s craft heritage.
Stone Brewing will retain its distinct voice, joining a family of breweries that share a deep respect for beer tradition and culture.
Duvel USA will support the brand’s continued national presence, assuming distribution responsibilities East of the Rockies, while Firestone Walker will focus on California, the Western U.S., and Texas, as well as national accounts. Production of the Stone portfolio will gradually transition to Firestone Walker’s brewery in Paso Robles, California, alongside Duvel USA’s Boulevard brewery in Kansas City, Missouri, creating a balanced, coast-to-coast brewing footprint. As part of the transition, Firestone Walker and Duvel USA expect to offer positions to a significant number of Stone Brewing employees across hospitality, sales, and marketing, with production positions to be assessed as brewing operations transition to new facilities.
“Stone is one of the most iconic brands in American craft beer and a pioneer of the West Coast IPA. For 30 years they’ve built something legendary, a brand known for its commitment to quality, drive for innovation, and a true fighting spirit. We will honor what’s been built and carry it forward with the same authenticity and conviction that we love them for. The Stone heart keeps beating,” said Nick Firestone, CEO of Firestone Walker. “This feels like a natural convergence of iconic craft brands. We inherit Stone’s storied reputation, and we’re committed to maintaining and further building its national relevance,” added Seraf De Smedt, President of Duvel USA.
Sapporo Holdings has announced plans to focus more fully on its core alcohol beverage business. The sale of the Stone Brewing brand reflects that strategic shift, allowing Sapporo to concentrate its resources behind the continued growth of its namesake brand in the United States.
“The Sapporo brand has achieved over 30% growth in the U.S. over the last four years, reflecting growing momentum in one of the world’s most important beer markets,” said Rieko Shofu, Executive Vice President, Sapporo Holdings Ltd. “We remain committed to continued investment in the U.S. as a cornerstone of our long‑term global growth.”
Following the transaction, the Richmond, Virginia brewery will serve as Sapporo USA’s primary U.S. production hub for the Sapporo brand. During a transition period, Sapporo USA will continue producing the Stone Brewing portfolio at its Escondido, California and Richmond, Virginia breweries. The Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido will also continue to operate during this time. Sapporo USA is evaluating long‑term strategic options for the Escondido brewery and bistro following the completion of the transition.
“We are committed to a smooth transition for the Stone Brewing brand, our hospitality locations, and, most importantly, our people over the coming months. Being part of Stone’s legacy has been an honor, and we are confident its future is in excellent hands with Firestone Walker and Duvel USA,” said Zach Keeling, CEO, Sapporo-Stone Brewing. “Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on the momentum behind the Sapporo brand and fully focus on its long‑term potential in the U.S. market.”
The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed. Arlington Capital Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Sapporo USA.
For further inquiries, please reach out to [email protected] (Firestone Walker) and [email protected] (Sapporo).
