Anheuser-Busch to close two U.S. breweries, sell Newark plant in early 2026 as it consolidates operations
The brewer will shut facilities in California and New Hampshire and sell its New Jersey plant, affecting about 475 workers.
USA – Anheuser-Busch has announced plans to close its breweries in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, and to sell its Newark, New Jersey, facility, with all changes scheduled to take effect in early 2026.
The company said the decisions form part of a broader strategy to modernize its U.S. operations and consolidate production across fewer, more efficient sites. Around 475 employees across the three locations are expected to be affected.
Anheuser-Busch stated that impacted workers will be offered relocation opportunities to other facilities or severance packages.
According to a company spokesperson, production currently handled at the Fairfield and Merrimack breweries will be shifted to other Anheuser-Busch plants in the United States. The brewer said the consolidation would allow it to focus investment on its remaining facilities and improve long-term operational efficiency.
In recent months, Anheuser-Busch has highlighted a US$300 million investment programme across its U.S. brewing network. The spending includes upgrades and expansions at facilities in Georgia, upstate New York, Houston and the company’s flagship brewery in St. Louis, Missouri.
The plants slated for closure have long histories in their respective communities. The Fairfield brewery was established 49 years ago, while the Merrimack facility has operated for 54 years. The Newark plant, founded in 1951, is Anheuser-Busch’s oldest brewery outside its St. Louis base.
The restructuring aligns with AB InBev’s wider global strategy. The company has been shifting its growth focus toward emerging and developing markets, including Latin America, Africa and China, where it aims to leverage strong market positions.
In contrast, in mature markets such as North America and Europe, the group is streamlining its footprint to reflect changing consumer behavior.
Industry trends show declining beer consumption in the United States, particularly among younger consumers, alongside growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages, hard seltzers and other “beyond beer” products.
AB InBev has also emphasized a strategy of premiumization, placing greater focus on higher-margin brands such as Michelob Ultra while scaling back reliance on lower-priced mass-market beers.
As part of this approach, the company plans to increase Michelob Ultra production at its Van Nuys facility in Los Angeles, which is receiving significant investment and is expected to absorb much of the capacity previously handled in Fairfield.
Industry data indicate that U.S. beer sales have declined steadily over the past decade, while 2024 marked the first year since at least 2010 in which brewery closures outnumbered openings.
Despite remaining profitable, Anheuser-Busch said the latest moves are intended to position its U.S. operations for greater efficiency and resilience in a changing market.
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