Stone Brewing is being acquired by Japanese beer maker Sapporo Holdings Ltd. in a major deal for both brands.
The companies announced the move on Thursday, involving this deal that is estimated to reach up to $165 million for the purchase of the Escondido-based beer maker.
Stone Brewing was founded nearly three decades ago in the northern region of San Diego, and it is now bound to close the biggest deal since the birth of the company in 1996.
The deal will reportedly close by August of this year.
Greg Koch, the brewery’s co-founder and executive chairman, labels this move as the correct next step for the Escondido-based company.
“For 26 years, our amazing team has worked tirelessly to brew beers that have set trends and redefined expectations,” Koch said. “To have the interest of a company like Sapporo in continuing the Stone story is a testament to the great beers we’ve created and will continue to create for our fans across the globe.”  
Sapporo's U.S.A chairman, Kenny Sadai, says that they were on the business hunt for an American company that they can collaborate with and essentially grow side-by-side. The Japanese beer maker calls this move "a perfect fusion of east meets west that is an ideal marriage for Sapporo’s long-term growth strategy in the U.S.”
Sadai says that the idea of the biggest Asian beer company coming together with one of the fastest growing beer companies in the world, is a collaboration that will be committed to providing unprecedented standards together.
“We approached Stone Brewing seeking a partner for our growth plans in the U.S, and we quickly recognized they were an ideal partner with bi-coastal brewing capacity, loyal fans, superb management, shared cultural values, and commitment to the highest quality standards,” Kenny Sadai said. “This acquisition puts the resources and legacy of the largest Asian beer brand in America together with one of the most innovative and recognized craft beer brands in the world.
