The big anniversary bash at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Liberty Station had attendees wondering who – or what – it is they would be toasting.
In just the past four years the craft beer company, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has changed hands twice. Adding to the confusion is news that layoffs are coming ahead of the closure of Stone’s Escondido production facility and two-level restaurant, which sit on an acre of manicured land.
The announced cuts ironically coincide with the recent hiring of 200 former employees who worked in non-production capacities under past owners. Yet the two events are unrelated due to the latest change in ownership.
San Diego residents Greg Koch and Steve Wagner founded Stone Brewing in 1996. They were friends who shared a passion for the indie music scene—and beer. The pair successfully grew the business and stayed involved in it until 2022, when they sold it to Sapporo U.S.A. Inc. Both men are now retired.
Then in June of this year, Firestone Walker and its parent company, Duvel Moortgat USA, acquired Stone. For branding and hospitality purposes, the beer company is still called Stone Brewing.
Sapporo, however, hung on to Stone’s production facility and World Bistro & Gardens restaurant in Escondido. After failing to find a buyer for the property, Sapporo plans to shut everything down by the end of the year. Fifty-eight employees will be laid off in October, with the remaining number of job cuts, totaling 220, due to occur by January. The layoffs are not associated with Stone’s ongoing operations under Firestone Walker.
“This is an understandably difficult time for our Escondido employees and the community, and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition,” a statement from Sapporo read in part.
Conversely, under Firestone Walker, the company recently hired 200 employees who previously worked under Sapporo on behalf of Stone. They included those from the sales-marketing department, plus others who held hospitality positions at Liberty Station’s World Bistro & Gardens as well as Stone’s tap rooms in Little Italy, Oceanside and Pasadena.
Those properties are not closing, according to Lizzie Younkin, brand director for Stone
Brewing.
“In fact, the Liberty Station World Bistro & Gardens will actually see some upgrades such as a new lobby entrance, additional TV screens, and seasonal menu changes. There is a brewery inside and we will be producing about 2,000 barrels of Stone products there annually, which is more compared to our pre-acquisition days,” she said while pointing out that Stone’s main production production line moved to Paso Robles.
Younkin is an 11-year employee of Stone Brewing. She said the upcoming changes “are very positive.”
The free public anniversary party, held Sept. 12 at the massive indoor-outdoor bistro and gardens in Liberty Station, was slated to be the largest annual commemoration in the company’s history, complete with live music, arcade games, screenings of ’90s movies and pet adoptions.
The event also showcased Stone’s 30th Anniversary Double IPA, a deep-golden brew ringing in at 8.5% alcohol. Available in 16-ounce cans, the beer is available only at Liberty
Station and Stone’s tap rooms.
“By freshening up the Liberty Station bistro and hiring more employees, Firestone Walker is carrying Stone Brewing forward,” Younkin added. “San Diegans care a lot about this brand and take pride and ownership in it.”
