The company initially stated its US intention almost two years ago following the acquisition of Stone Brewing in San Diego, California. Last week, Sapporo’s US division confirmed that the production of Sapporo Premium Beer has commenced not only at Stone’s brewery in Escondido to the north of San Diego but also at its facility in Richmond, Virginia, on the country’s east coast.
Previously, the brand was imported into the US from Asia as well as from neighbouring Canada.
With US$20m spent on Stone’s brewery, Sapporo USA is in the process of investing $40m in the Richmond facility. Once both projects are complete, scheduled for later this year, the unit will have access to an annual production capacity of around 700,000 barrels over both sites and will be the 12th largest US brewer by volume, according to data sourced by the division from trade organisation the Brewers Association.
“Operationally, this acquisition looks a lot like a merger,” said the interim CEO of Sapporo-Stone Brewing Co, Zach Keeling. “Our two companies are now fully integrated – innovating, brewing, selling, marketing and operating as a single, combined business.
“The Sapporo and Stone Brewing brands will maintain their individual identities, but we are Sapporo-Stone in name, operations, and culture.”
Sapporo is the biggest-selling Asian beer brand in the US, with sales in the 12 months to the end of April climbing by 13%, according to NielsenIQ.
