[Updated] Stone Brewing Allegedly Lays Off Dozens Of Employees

Update: We are now hearing 75+ employees, many of which long time members.

Update 2: We have heard it’s up to 80+, with long time employees receiving appropriate severance pay.

Update 3: Here is Stone’s official statement: https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/stone-brewing-issues-official-statement-layoffs/

(Escondido, CA) – Reports are circulating that Stone Brewing has allegedly laid off “dozens” of employees this morning at their main location in North County San Diego.  While we have not been able to determine the cause for this bulk lay off, we have heard this may be part of a organizational restructuring.  Of note, Stone’s longtime receptionist and San Diego coordinator for International Women’s Brew Day in San Diego, Denise Ratfield was one of the casualties. Here was her publicly facing statement on Facebook shortly after learning of her job being eliminated:

“It’s a bellwether day, and one that I did not see coming. Today, along with dozens of others, I was laid off from Stone Brewing. Although it will be a challenging transition after 7 years with a legendary brewery, I know that new opportunities lay ahead. I’m excited to start a new chapter in my career and so very lucky that I am in the best beer community on planet earth. Thanks to all the friends and family I made along the way at Stone that I hold in high regard. You made it wonderful.

Let the new adventure begin!”

From Andy Tenn, Project Specialist

“It’s with mixed emotions that I share that today was my last day at Stone Brewing, due to a round of layoffs affecting so many friends and coworkers.

I’m beyond grateful for the 4+ years at Stone, immensely proud of my accomplishments, and even more so of the friends I made there.

I wish Stone only good things and am eager to now watch their continued growth in the familiar territory of being “just a fan”. Big hugs to everyone still there and of course, to those in similar circumstance.

We will update this story as more information becomes available. Stone Brewing is not a publicly traded company, and they are not obligated to comment on such a sensitive issue.