Anheuser-Busch to close Merrimack, Fairfield and sell Newark facility amid U.S. consolidation
Anheuser-Busch announced closures at its Merrimack, New Hampshire and Fairfield, California brewing operations and the planned sale of its Newark, New Jersey brewery as part of a U.S. production consolidation (Valley News, 2025). The Merrimack plant — operating since 1970 and employing about 125 full-time workers — will shutter early next year, with the company offering relocation opportunities or severance to affected staff (Valley News, 2025). The company said the moves are part of a broader optimization of its U.S. manufacturing footprint and will shift production to other facilities while investing in remaining operations (Fox Business, 2025). Local officials warn of significant municipal budget impacts due to lost property tax and sewer payments tied to the Merrimack site (Valley News, 2025). Source: Valley News, 2025, https://vnews.com/2025/12/12/anheuser-busch-closes-nh-plant/; Fox Business, 2025, https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/anheuser-busch-sell-iconic-new-jersey-brewery-close-california-new-hampshire-facilities
A-B’s national job impact and strategic rationale
In total, Anheuser-Busch’s announced closures and sale affect roughly 475 full-time U.S. employees, with the company stating it will offer roles elsewhere in its U.S. network and provide relocation stipends or severance where transfers are declined (Valley News, 2025). The company framed the moves as investments in remaining facilities and brands, noting prior multi-hundred-million-dollar capital spending on U.S. operations (Fox Business, 2025). Industry reporting places these actions in the context of ongoing capacity rationalization across major brewers responding to slower domestic beer volume growth and higher manufacturing efficiency needs (Beer Business Daily, 2025). Source: Valley News, 2025, https://vnews.com/2025/12/12/anheuser-busch-closes-nh-plant/; Fox Business, 2025, https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/anheuser-busch-sell-iconic-new-jersey-brewery-close-california-new-hampshire-facilities; Beer Business Daily, 2025, https://beernet.com/bbd/bbd-article/
Craft beer market growth projections and persistent headwinds
Market intelligence firms project continued expansion in the craft beer sector, forecasting multi-year compound annual growth rates in the high single digits to low double digits through the early 2030s, driven by consumer demand for artisanal and localized beers (IMARC Group, 2025; Stellar Market Research, 2025). At the same time, trade association data show craft brewery counts remain under stress: closings continued to outpace openings with a marginal year-to-date decline in active craft breweries (Brewers Association, 2025). These parallel signals point to sectoral consolidation but continued revenue upside for resilient, well-differentiated craft producers (IMARC Group, 2025; Brewers Association, 2025). Source: IMARC Group, 2025, https://www.imarcgroup.com/craft-beer-market; Stellar Market Research, 2025, https://www.stellarmr.com/report/craft-beer-market/2409; Brewers Association, 2025, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/
Consumer trends: health, premiumization and non/low-ABV growth
Multiple industry reports highlight health-conscious drinking and premiumization as leading consumer drivers in 2025, with strong growth in non- and low-alcohol beer and increased willingness to pay for premium craft offerings (Tastewise, 2025; CGA / Craft Brewing Business summary, 2025). On-premise data cited dramatic year-over-year growth in non-alcoholic beer categories and notable gains for non-alcoholic IPAs and stouts, signaling opportunity for craft brewers to diversify portfolios into low-ABV innovations (Craft Brewing Business, 2025). Trend trackers also identify hyper-local sourcing, hybrid styles and sustainability as priority areas for product innovation and differentiation (Tastewise, 2025; Hop Culture, 2025). Source: Tastewise, 2025, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends; Craft Brewing Business (CGA data), 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/; Hop Culture, 2025, https://www.hopculture.com/top-craft-beer-trends-2025/
Implications for brewers and regional markets
Large-scale capacity moves by global brewers can tighten local supplier networks and depress municipal revenues in affected towns, while creating relocation and retraining demands for skilled brewery workers (Valley News, 2025). For craft operators, prevailing consumer shifts toward health-conscious and premiumized drinking present both a growth vector and a competitive challenge that favors brewers with R&D and branding resources (Brewers Association, 2025; Tastewise, 2025). Observers recommend that craft breweries prioritize product diversification into low/no-ABV offerings and strengthen local sourcing and experiential taproom initiatives to capture premium spending (Craft Brewing Business, 2025; Tastewise, 2025). Source: Valley News, 2025, https://vnews.com/2025/12/12/anheuser-busch-closes-nh-plant/; Brewers Association, 2025, https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/; Tastewise, 2025, https://tastewise.io/blog/craft-beer-trends; Craft Brewing Business, 2025, https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/navigating-the-u-s-on-premise-consumer-in-2025-key-insights-for-craft-brewers/