- Anheuser-Busch will close three breweries in Newark, NJ; Fairfield, CA; and Merrimack, NH following a strategic review, with production shifting to other facilities.
- The 74-year-old Newark brewery, a landmark near Newark Liberty International Airport, will be sold to Goodman Group for redevelopment into a logistics hub.
- The closures come amid a 1% dip in overall US beer production and declining profits for Anheuser-Busch InBev, driven partly by shifting consumer preferences and recent brand controversies.
A Legacy Ends In Newark
Anheuser-Busch is closing its 74-year-old Newark brewery, known for its iconic neon eagle sign near the airport, reports CoStar. The company is selling the 3.2M SF, 87-acre site to Minneapolis-based Goodman Group. Goodman plans to convert it into a logistics and industrial facility.
National Pullback
In addition to Newark, the brewing giant will shutter two more facilities early next year. These include an 870K SF plant in Fairfield, California, and a 500K SF site in Merrimack, New Hampshire. The closures follow what the company described as a “thorough review” of operations.
Industry Headwinds
The move comes as the beer industry grapples with declining sales and changing consumer tastes. US beer production and imports dipped by 1% in 2024, according to the Brewers Association. Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s third-quarter profits fell by nearly 50%, from $2.07B to $1.05B year-over-year. The Bud Light brand also saw steep sales declines after a boycott linked to a controversial influencer partnership.
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Shifting Production
Core brands including Budweiser, Bud Light, and Busch were brewed at the affected sites. Anheuser-Busch says production will be consolidated across other US facilities, allowing reinvestment in higher-performing operations and emerging brands.
Employee Impact
Approximately 475 full-time employees across the three sites will be offered roles at other Anheuser-Busch facilities, along with relocation stipends and training. Those not relocating will receive severance packages.
A Changing Landscape
Newark was once a hub for American brewing, with companies like Ballantine and Krueger operating there. In 2022, developers transformed the former Ballantine brewery into a logistics hub and sold it for $127.5M. The deal reflects a growing trend of repurposing legacy industrial sites for modern distribution and manufacturing.
Looking Ahead
Anheuser-Busch says it has invested nearly $2B in modernizing its US manufacturing footprint over the past five years. As a result, the closures signal a continued pivot toward operational efficiency and portfolio growth. Moreover, they reflect the company’s effort to adapt as beer industry dynamics continue to evolve.
