Escondido’s Stone Brewing being sold once again

For the second time in four years, Stone Brewing is being sold.

One of the godfather breweries of San Diego’s craft beer scene is being bought for an undisclosed amount of money by Duvel Moortgat USA and Paso Robles-based Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

“I do hope that they keep that refreshing, bitter taste that we all know Stone has,” said beer enthusiast Hiram Soto.

Soto is happy to hear the new owners say Stone’s bistro and garden at Liberty Station, where he’s going to toast a colleague, will continue to operate.

The Little Italy, Oceanside and Pasadena locations will also be acquired.

Not included in the deal is Stone’s flagship, Escondido taproom and brewing facility.

Current owner, Sapporo USA, will keep that and the Virginia brewery.

“It saves them all of the money and resources of making beer in a different country and sending it over to the United States,” explained Brandon Hernández, founder of the website sandiegobeer.news.

Hernández says the sale makes sense from the standpoint that last year, Sapporo reported declining sales for Stone, along with deteriorating profitability due to cost inflation, while sales of their namesake brand grew 30% in the U.S. over four years.

“They really don’t need the Stone brand so much, which is also a brand that’s been challenged in recent years to, you know, any American craft beer brand has struggled,” said Hernandez.

Firestone said the deal is designed to accelerate Stone into the future while staying true to its 30-year-old roots.

Part of that means transitioning Stone’s beer production to Firestone’s Paso Robles brewery.

“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, in a press release.

“They’ve been successful in tough times,” said Hernández. “They know what they’re doing. So it’s about the best thing anybody could ask for.”

“They’re craft brewers, so they know what they’re doing, so hopefully they revive it and bring better recipes,” said beer lover Kevin Blankmeyer.

Hopnonymus Brewing Company owner, Remy Zurita, said one of his first beers when he immigrated to the states was from Stone. He sees the deal as a vote of confidence in San Diego’s craft beer scene. 

“It’s just telling the small guys, keep going, doing what you do the best. That means small batching and taking care of your people. Because we are being watched,” Zurita said.

The deal’s expected to be done sometime this summer.

The new owners say they expect to offer positions to a significant number of Stone Brewing employees.