Anheuser Busch to Close Two Breweries, Sells Newark Plant to Goodman Group

Anheuser Busch revealed a U.S. manufacturing consolidation plan on December 12, 2025 that will result in two brewery closures early next year and a sale of another plant. The Fairfield, California and Merrimack, New Hampshire breweries are scheduled to close in early 2026. The Newark, New Jersey brewery has been sold to the Goodman Group. The company said it will shift production from these three facilities to other U.S. breweries and invest the resulting savings into remaining operations and brand growth.

The announcement affects an estimated 475 full time employees. Anheuser Busch reported that impacted workers will be offered full time roles elsewhere in the company. The consolidation follows a broader modernization effort that included prior investments and upgrades at facilities in Los Angeles, St. Louis and Baldwinsville, reflecting a strategy of concentrating capacity into fewer, upgraded plants.

For craft brewers and the homebrewing community this consolidation matters on several practical levels. Large scale moves by a dominant brewer can change the availability of contract brewing slots. Local and regional contract brewers often rely on shifts in industry capacity to pick up overflow production. Verify contract breweries capacity and projected timelines now, because closures and production transfers can tighten windows for canning and bottling runs.

Packaging supply demand is likely to shift as canning lines are reallocated. Expect potential timing pressures for can orders and line time. Contact packaging suppliers and canning services to confirm lead times and consider flexible scheduling or alternative packaging partners to avoid bottlenecks. Ingredient sourcing and logistics may also be affected, as changes in distribution patterns for malt, hops and packaging materials can ripple to smaller brewers and homebrew supply stores. Check with ingredient suppliers about inventory plans and delivery schedules, and consider short term stockpiling of critical items if storage allows.

The sale of the Newark plant to the Goodman Group could present new local opportunities, depending on the buyer plans. Monitor announcements from Goodman Group about future uses of the site, and look for chances to pick up used equipment or secure new contract brewing relationships if the facility is repurposed for regional production or custom packaging.

Local brewers and homebrewers will feel the effects differently by region. Stay in close contact with suppliers, contract partners and local brewing networks to manage schedules and costs through the transition. This consolidation underscores the importance of flexibility in sourcing and production planning as the national brewing landscape continues to consolidate and modernize.