Firestone Walker acquires another major California beer maker
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Firestone Walker announced acquisition of the Stone Brewing brand from Sapporo USA.
- Deal expected to close by second quarter, market/brew locally by the second half of 2026.
- Stone production to shift to Firestone’s Paso Robles and Duvel USA’s Kansas City breweries
Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles is expanding again, acquiring its second California craft-beer maker in less than a month.
On Tuesday, Firestone Walker announced that it is purchasing Stone Brewing, the iconic California brand that’s based in Escondido and is a subsidiary of Sapporo USA.
The Stone Brewing deal, expected to be finalized later this year, will include Stone’s beers and taprooms in San Diego, Oceanside and Pasadena.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Stone Brewing was acquired by Sapporo in 2022 for an estimated $165 million, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The agreement brings “one of America’s foundational craft breweries into a family of like-minded brewers,” according to the joint news release from Firestone Walker, Stone Brewing and Duvel Moortgat USA, which owns Firestone.
Production of Stone’s beers — now brewed in Escondido and Richmond, Virginia — will gradually move to San Luis Obispo County and Duvel USA’s brewery in Kansas City.
The deal comes just weeks after Firestone Walker acquired the United States’ western wing of the 400-year-old Austrian brewery Trumer Pils, known for its award-winning German-style pilsner.
“Legally, these things take some time to close,” Firestone co-owner David Walker told The Tribune Tuesday.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by the second quarter of this year, and Walker estimated that Firestone would be marketing and brewing Stone Brewing products locally by the second half of 2026.
Stone Brewing known for pioneering the West Coast IPA
Walker said his favorite among Stone Brewing brands is their Stone IPA, which Walker called an “iconic classic beer.”
“You’re drinking an experience with that beer,” he said. “It’s one of the first, great American IPAs. It has attitude as a brand that wraps up a lot of what American craft beers are all about.”
Nick Firestone, CEO/co-owner of Firestone Walker, agreed, pledging to be a responsible steward of the Stone Brewing name and legacy.
“Stone is one of the most iconic brands in American craft beer and a pioneer of the West Coast IPA,” Firestone said.
“For 30 years, they’ve built something legendary, a brand known for its commitment to quality, drive for innovation, and a true fighting spirit,” he added. “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.”
Like Firestone Walker, which is best known for its 805 blonde ale, Stone Brewing was founded in 1996 and has a formidable reputation in the craft beer industry. In the new alliance, Stone Brewing will retain its distinct voice.
“This feels like a natural convergence of iconic craft brands,” said Seraf De Smedt, president of Duvel USA. “We inherit Stone’s storied reputation, and we’re committed to maintaining and further building its national relevance.”
At the heart of the deal is a “shared commitment to craft, a fearless spirit and long-term brand building. Firestone Walker will serve as Stone’s West Coast home … a natural fit,” a news release said, in an agreement designed to accelerate Stone into the future while staying true to the character that has defined it for three decades.
Meanwhile, Duval USA will support the brand’s continuing national presence with distribution east of the Rockies.
Firestone will focus on California, the Western United States, Texas and national accounts.
Sapporo is evaluating long-term strategic options for the Escondido brewery and bistro, the news release said.
In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Firestone noted how challenging conditions for craft breweries was leading to consolidations in the industry.
“I think if you talk to any brewer in the state, they would basically say the same thing,” he said. “So given the long litany of challenges, you’re seeing a lot of small brewers kind of team up, form joint ventures or consolidate production under a single brewery. I’m still a fundamental believer in beer, it’s been around for, for thousands of years and it’s going to stay. It’s also a core part of cultural dynamic and our fabric, and we believe in California and investing here.”
