Firestone Walker Brewing Company has acquired the U.S. brewing rights for Trumer Pils, marking the end of production at the long-established Berkeley brewery after more than two decades. Brewing at the site will cease by the end of May 2026, closing a key chapter in California’s craft beer history.
The Berkeley operation was run by Gambrinus Company, which retains ownership of the brewery and taproom but transferred U.S. production rights for the brand. Without continued brewing activity, the facility will shut down, with operations already being gradually wound down ahead of the final closure.
Production of Trumer Pils will move to Firestone Walker’s brewery in Paso Robles. Nick Firestone, CEO of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, stressed that preserving the beer’s signature taste and freshness is the company’s top priority. To ensure continuity, Firestone is working closely with longtime brewmaster Lars Larson, with initial production runs at the new site planned for summer 2026.
The Berkeley brewery had recently expanded its public presence, opening a full taproom to general visitors in 2024 after previously operating a more limited-access space. Despite this investment, the transition of brewing rights ultimately made continued operations at the site unviable.
The move comes at a challenging time for the U.S. beer industry, with multiple brewery closures across both large-scale and craft segments. In this context, the Trumer transition stands out as a case of brand continuation rather than disappearance, as production and distribution are set to continue under new ownership.
Trumer’s U.S. story has always been closely tied to its Austrian heritage. The Berkeley brewery was established in 2004 as a sister facility to the Trumer Privatbrauerei in Salzburg, a family-owned brewery dating back to 1775. The U.S. site replicated traditional Austrian brewing methods, combining local California water with imported hops, yeast, and malt to maintain consistency with the original recipe.
Over the years, Trumer Pils has earned global recognition, winning multiple gold medals at competitions such as the World Beer Cup and European Beer Star. It has often been described as one of the most awarded pilsners worldwide, building a loyal following among U.S. consumers.
Now part of the Duvel Moortgat group, Firestone Walker is positioning itself as a long-term steward of the brand. The key question for the market will be whether scaling production at a new location can preserve the distinctive character that defined Trumer Pils in Berkeley for over 20 years.
