Parent company’s latest acquisition pours new beer brand into Boulevard’s production lineup

An acquisition by Boulevard Brewing Co.’s parent company will shift production to the Kansas City facility on Southwest Boulevard — tapping into local expertise and workflow management efficiencies, said Bobby Dykstra.

Duvel Moortgat USA — the family-run beer chain that purchased Boulevard in 2013 — and Firestone Walker Brewing Company have signed a definitive agreement with Stone Brewing, a subsidiary of Sapporo USA, a conglomerate known for its namesake Japanese lager, to acquire the Stone Brewing brand and select hospitality locations.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Stone Brewing’s canned IPA, courtesy image

As part of the transition, Boulevard will begin producing Stone Brewing’s portfolio in Kansas City. Local production will cover distribution for all states east of the Rockies, with the exception of Texas.

“This partnership creates new local jobs and cements Boulevard’s reputation as a premier regional brewery,” said Dykstra, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Duvel Moortgat. “Our team is proud to help write the next chapter of Stone’s story while boosting the local economy.”

Firestone Walker will serve as Stone’s West Coast home, offering a natural fit rooted in California brewing culture, with the scale and experience to support Stone’s continued evolution.

By utilizing both Firestone Walker’s brewery in Paso Robles and Boulevard’s facility in Kansas City, the partnership establishes a balanced, coast-to-coast brewing footprint for the Stone portfolio, the companies said.

Tanks used as part of Boulevard Brewing Co.’s production operation on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City; courtesy photo

“Boulevard has previously brewed for partner brands. The Stone Brewing partnership is a significant scale-up,” Dykstra said. “We’re using our existing capacity to maximize our facility and bring an iconic brew to the Midwest without disrupting our core operations. We are honored when other beer brands turn to Boulevard for production support. It signals their trust and confidence in our team and facilities.”

Duvel Moortgat and Firestone Walker expect to offer positions to a significant number of Stone Brewing employees across hospitality, sales, and marketing, with production positions to be assessed as brewing operations transition to new facilities, the companies said.

Sapporo previously purchased Stone Brewing in 2022.

Adding the brand to Boulevard’s production lineup is not expected to tax the operation’s bandwidth or limit its ability to innovate new craft beers, Dykstra said.

ICYMI: Boulevard building outdoor ‘Yard’ space for added bar, patio capacity ahead of World Cup