Stone Brewing Company

Sapporo-Stone has conducted a “small-scale reduction” in its workforce as the company continues to find the right balance for the combined operations of its Japanese import beer and California craft business.

Large-format packs and key menu features are putting wind into Stone IPA’s sails. Stone IPA has recorded double-digit depletions growth at on-premise chains outside its home market in the 6-month period ending March 31, according to VIP data the brewery shared with Brewbound.

With wind in its sails from accelerating grocery sales, Sapporo has set its sights on multi-channel expansion. The 149-year-old brand has been invigorated in recent years as Sapporo-Stone, the combined entity born from the former’s acquisition of the latter in 2022, takes shape.

Sapporo Holdings has taken a more than $91.5 million (JPY 13.9 billion) impairment charge on the goodwill of its Stone Brewing business, which the Japanese brewing giant acquired nearly three years ago for $165 million.

While beer consumers – particularly core craft fans – once cared more about brand and where a product was made, most bev-alc consumers are now prioritizing price, quality and availability, among other factors. This has caused not only a shift in how craft beer is produced and marketed (hello, contract brewing boom), but also trends in imported beer.

The 2025 plan for Stone Brewing is addition by subtraction, discontinuing several “unproductive” brands and packages nationally, including special releases, the Enjoy By IPA series and large-format bottles in order to put a heavy emphasis on core brands, as well the expansion of newish lager brands.

Sapporo-Stone workers in Virginia have begun a union drive, VinePair’s Dave Infante reported Monday. Workers are seeking “higher pay, more consistent scheduling and better working conditions,” per the report.

Sapporo-Stone Brewing is officially making Zach Keeling its new CEO. Keeling was appointed interim CEO in January when then-CEO Maria Stipp stepped down from the role after guiding the Escondido, California-headquartered brewery through its 2022 acquisition by the Japanese brewing giant and through its integration.

Production at craft breweries outside of the Brewers Association’s (BA) craft brewer definition collectively declined -6% on a comparable basis, to nearly 7.6 million barrels in 2023, according to data shared in the May/June edition of the New Brewer Magazine.

Sapporo-Stone Brewing Co. unveiled a $60 million expansion plan yesterday that will double the company’s annual capacity to about 700,000 barrels.

Former Stone Brewing CEO Maria Stipp has been named CEO of Suja Life, the parent company to Suja Organics and Vive Organics, effective February 20, the company announced today.

Sapporo-Stone Brewing has tapped industry veteran Joel Pipman as VP of brewing operations for the company’s bicoastal facilities.

For 27 years Stone Brewing has been trailblazing the craft beer industry and astounding fans with its big, bold anniversary ales. This year the nation’s 7th largest craft brewery announces the release of Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA featuring a unique blend of New Zealand ingredients.

The University of Southern California (USC) Athletics, announces the debut of its first-ever official craft beer, Stone Fight On! Pale Ale. The beer is brewed by Stone Brewing, the Southern California-based brewery that has been trailblazing the craft beer category with a fierce commitment to quality and freshness for 27 years.