Anheuser-Busch announced plans to sell its historic Newark, New Jersey brewery and shut down operations at two other facilities in New Hampshire and California, marking a significant realignment of its U.S. production footprint.
The Newark brewery, which opened in 1951 and stands as one of the company’s oldest active facilities, will be sold to the Goodman Group in 2026. Meanwhile, the Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire breweries will be shuttered around the same time, as the company consolidates operations to optimize efficiency.
Strategic Shift, Not a Product Issue
The beer giant emphasized that the move is not a reflection of product performance. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the closures will not affect product availability, noting that production will be redistributed to other Anheuser-Busch facilities across the country.
“This decision enables us to invest even more in our remaining operations and in our portfolio of growing, industry-leading brands,” an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said. The company has over 100 operational facilities in the U.S. and has been undergoing a multiyear modernization effort.
Employee Relocation and Support
Roughly 475 full-time employees across the three facilities will be impacted. Anheuser-Busch says every employee will be offered a full-time position at another U.S. location, along with relocation stipends and job training for their new roles.
Those who choose not to relocate will receive severance packages and access to additional support resources.
$2 Billion Modernization Campaign
The closures come amid a broader, $2 billion investment strategy to modernize Anheuser-Busch’s manufacturing network. The company has already injected nearly $2 billion into its U.S. operations over the past five years, including a $300 million push announced in May aimed at supporting manufacturing jobs and veterans transitioning to the industry.
Anheuser-Busch has faced mounting pressure in recent years to streamline its operations amid shifting consumer tastes and increased competition. While the closures mark the end of an era for the Newark and Merrimack communities, the company insists the move is part of a long-term plan to strengthen its U.S. operations.
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