Sapporo USA Snatches Stone Brewing

Sapporo U.S.A., brewer of the top selling Asian beer brand in the United States, has announced an agreement to purchase Stone Brewing, one of America’s ten largest craft breweries. The deal, expected to close in August, 2022, is reportedly valued at $168 million.

Fusing the Brands

Kenny Sadai, Chairman of Sapporo USA, says the combination of these two brands will bring growth and success to both sides.  

“We approached Stone Brewing seeking a partner for our growth plans in the U.S, and we quickly recognized they were an ideal partner with bi-coastal brewing capacity, loyal fans, superb management, shared cultural values, and commitment to the highest quality standards,” said Sadai. “This acquisition puts the resources and legacy of the largest Asian beer brand in America together with one of the most innovative and recognized craft beer brands in the world. It’s a perfect fusion of east meets west that is an ideal marriage for Sapporo’s long-term growth strategy in the U.S.”  

Stone currently operates two state- of- the- art breweries. One is the original location in Escondido, California. The other is the newer, expansion location in Richmond, Virginia. Stone beers will continue to be brewed at both breweries. Sapporo USA plans to expand the brewing capacity and start brewing its own brands at both locations. The goal is to brew 360,000 barrels by the end of 2024, effectively doubling Stone Brewing’s current production.

Stone Brewing co- founder and Executive Chairman Greg Koch says the new business arrangement is the right move for the brewery he founded back in 1996.

“This is the right next chapter for Stone Brewing,” said Koch. “For 26 years, our amazing team has worked tirelessly to brew beers that have set trends and redefined expectations. To have the interest of a company like Sapporo in continuing the Stone story is a testament to the great beers we’ve created and will continue to create for our fans across the globe.”   

Sapporo and Craft Beer

Stone Brewing is the second craft brewery to climb under the Sapporo umbrella. San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing was the first. It was acquired by Sapporo in 2017. The Japanese brewery was apparently thirsty for more and Stone offered just the right mix of talent, quality, assets, geographic location, etc.

Stone Distribution, a beer distributing company, will be spun off as an independent business. Founded to help the growing southern California craft beer scene, Stone Distributing handles 42 craft brands. It will continue to distribute beers throughout the southern part of the state.

Stone Brewing always took pride in its own independence and often mocked the big beer brands. Having Stone sell out to a large beer- brewing conglomerate might seem a little unusual, even hypocritical at first. But Stone Brewing has succeeded beyond the expectations of most and, like many successful businesses, decided it was time for an ownership change.

The Future Looks….Bright?

We at Great Beer Now are cautiously optimistic about the Sapporo/Stone Brewing purchase. It isn’t completely surprising, since it was known that Stone Brewing had been searching for a buyer. The thought of a Stone Brewing taproom with a tap of Sapporo lager flowing alongside a tap of Arrogant Bastard ale is difficult to picture. It will take time to get used to, but like most every other craft beer acquisition, it will eventually become acceptable.

We hope Stone will continue to brew its hop- accented beers and who knows? Sapporo USA just might surprise us with its influence on the brand and could lead Stone Brewing in countless innovative directions. Only time will tell.