Anheuser-Busch will close its Merrimack brewery and event center in early 2026, according to multiple news sources. This will mark an end to more than five decades of brewing operations in the town.
The company confirmed the closure this week, saying it is part of a broader effort to update and modernize its U.S. manufacturing operations. The Merrimack facility, located on Daniel Webster Highway, has been in operation for 54 years and spans more than 400,000 square feet, including production space, warehouses, offices, and a biergarten.
Impact on the Workforce
According to WMUR, the shutdown will directly impact about 124 jobs in Merrimack. Across three facilities slated for closure or sale—including plants in Fairfield, California, and Newark, New Jersey—approximately 475 full-time employees will be affected nationwide.
An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said production from the three locations will be shifted to other U.S. facilities. All full-time employees will be offered positions elsewhere within the company, along with relocation stipends and new-location skills training. Workers who choose not to relocate will be offered severance packages and additional support resources.
Local Economic Effects
Merrimack Town Manager Paul Micali said the closure will have ripple effects throughout the community, according to WMUR.
“Even though we’re 30,000 people, we’re a small community, and it hurts when something like this, a mainstay of your community, is closing,” Micali said.
He noted that the plant accounts for nearly half of the town’s wastewater system flow, generating between $1 million and $1.5 million annually in sewer revenue, along with about $800,000 a year in property taxes.
Reaction From State and Local Leaders
State and local officials expressed disappointment following the announcement. Gov. Kelly Ayotte said state agencies will work with impacted employees to ensure they are aware of available resources.
Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack, called the closure “terrible” after more than half a century of Anheuser-Busch operating as a major employer and community contributor. State Rep. Julie Miles, R-Merrimack, said she is encouraging residents to reach out for assistance and support.
A Longtime Community Landmark
Beyond employment, the Merrimack plant has long been a regional attraction. At its peak, tours drew up to 100,000 visitors annually. The facility also hosted popular events such as Oktoberfest, Ribfest, concerts, and seasonal markets, including a well-known holiday light display.
That role diminished in recent years. In 2018, Anheuser-Busch announced the Budweiser Clydesdales would no longer train in New Hampshire, relocating operations to Warm Springs Ranch in Missouri. The company completed an $11 million expansion that same year to improve cross-brewing capabilities, following an $11.3 million investment announced in 2017, according to the Union Leader.
Industry Challenges and Restructuring
Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion over the past five years across its roughly 100 U.S. facilities, according to the company. Earlier this year, it also announced it would end craft beer production at its Portsmouth operation at Pease International Tradeport, which originally opened as Redhook Brewery in 1996.
The Merrimack closure comes as the company continues to navigate broader industry challenges. Bud Light, long the best-selling beer in the United States, lost its top spot in 2023 after a significant decline in sales.
Merrimack’s Future
Business and Industry Association President and CEO Michael Skelton described the news as disappointing but said such decisions are often part of long-term planning.
“I’m sure this is part of a long-range continual assessment of the best deployment of resources,” Skelton said, adding that Anheuser-Busch had been a strong employer and community partner in New Hampshire.
Town officials expect that, once the initial shock subsides, discussions will turn toward redevelopment of the large Daniel Webster Highway property. For many residents, however, the loss is deeply personal.
