The Anheuser-Busch brewery in Merrimack, one of the state’s biggest tourist draws, is going to close next year after a half-century of operation as part of a company overhaul in the face of stagnant beer sales nationally.
In statements reported by several news outlets, the company said it has “taken steps to update and modernize our U.S. manufacturing operations, investing nearly $2 billion in our 100 facilities across the country.” As part of that, Anheuser-Busch will close breweries in Merrimack and Fairfield, California, and sell a brewery in Newark, New Jersey.
The Merrimack plant opened in 1970. Along with brewery tours and a beer garden, for decades it hosted the company’s iconic Clydesdale horses, although they were moved elsewhere in 2018.
Anheuser-Busch said in a press statement that the three facilities’ roughly 450 employees would be offered roles in other facilities within the company’s U.S. operations or severance packages.
Sales of beer and other alcohol beverages have been stagnant or declining in the U.S. and other parts of the developed world for several years. In 2024, Anheuser-Busch said its beer sales were down 2.1% by volume and sales of other beverages were down by 1.1%.
The company is part of the global firm ABInBev, which has breweries throughout the world, and is known for brewing and distributing Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, Busch Light, Natural Light and others.