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Huge local impacts of AB brewery closings/sale reverberating in media reports, especially in affected areas. AB filed a WARN notice in CA that 238 employees will lose their jobs as a result of Fairfield, CA closure, noted SFGate this morn (tho some employees will relocate with AB). That's half of the 475 full-time employees impacted across the 3 AB facilities. AB also sold its Oakland distribution branch in 2022. "The closure of the Fairfield plant ends a decades-long Bay Area presence for the company. The consequences of the closure will be far reaching," added SFGate. Loss of Fairfield Brewery Will Be "Devastating," Said Mayor The loss of the facility will be "staggering" and "devastating" for Fairfield, Mayor Catherine Moy posted on Facebook last week, especially for those "losing their jobs or having to relocate." But she also detailed $10.7 mil tax loss for the town, $8.9 mil loss for CA, $3.3 mil for Feds. Price of water will have to go up after losing AB as customer, other articles noted. Then too, there will be "a cultural loss for the community," wrote SFGate, again citing Mayor Moy: "The facility&hellip; was easily visible from Interstate 80, and its large neon-red Budweiser logo signaled 'you entered Fairfield.'"Sign in Newark an "Iconic Landmark" Numerous New Jersey and New Hampshire media outlets also featured laments about what will be lost as AB leaves the building. In Newark, the loss of the Anheuser Busch neon sign very much on people's minds, according to an article in NJ.com. "That's been an iconic landmark for 75 years, both on the ground and for flights arriving and leaving from Newark," said Newark resident and president of teachers union. But "it will be taken down and sent to" St Lou, said a spokesman for Goodman North America, which is buying Newark facility. The sign is 34 feet across and weighs 15 tons, made from 4500 ft of neon tubing and 2000 bulbs. It was installed in 2001 to celebrate 50 yrs of Newark brewery.Loss of Merrimack "An Economic Blow"; Sits on 300 Acres, Valued at $35 Mil The closing of Merrimack, NH brewery, deals "an economic blow to the region," wrote Valley News. Merrimack employs approx 125 full-time workers. "I feel sorry for those individuals, two weeks before Christmas, getting the news that their jobs are going away," said Merrimack's town manager. Merrimack brewery "encompasses 300-acres along the Merrimack River and includes sporting fields and a horse stable&hellip;. The town recently assessed the property at $35 million," added Valley News, and pays $780K in taxes. Merrimack officials "are worried" about town's finances as closing will have "significant budget impacts." But while several cities will lose a big presence with these moves, AB's Baldwinsville brewery in upstate NY stands to gain, according to Syracuse.com. Baldwinsville already employs 500 people and is the brewery closest to Merrimack (298 miles) and Newark (262 miles), article noted. In last 5 yrs, AB spent $90 mil to upgrade Baldwinsville.AB Will Be Down to 9 Major Manufacturing Facilities From 12; Lost 40+ Mil Bbls When the dust settles, AB will have 9 primary breweries, down from 12 listed on its website. In its announcement, AB talked about 100 facilities, but the vast majority of those are much, much smaller. As noted, AB had delayed the inevitable. After losing over 40 mil bbls in last 17 yrs (including roughly 20 mil bbls in last 4 yrs alone), it hadda make major changes at some point, to recognize the reality of its reduced production and better position itself for the future. Much more detail in our Dec 12 issue of Beer Marketer's INSIGHTS.

Following News of AB Brewery Closings, Lotsa Local Media Laments About All That is Lost

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