Sleeman calls Sapporo’s plan to move Canadian operations to the U.S. ‘not imminent or finalized’

Glass of cold beer on a patio table with a blurry background of people and city

Production at Guelph-based Sleeman Breweries could be impacted by the ongoing tariff war between Canada and the United States.

With 50 per cent tariffs targeting Canadian beer exports to the U.S., Japan’s Sapporo Breweries Ltd. has announced it will be shifting some production from Canada to the U.S.

In Canada, Sapporo beer is made in Guelph at the Sleeman facility, which Sapporo acquired in 2006.

According to several media reports, Sapporo plans to move production of non-alcoholic beer destined for the American market to a U.S. facility in the first half of 2027 to avoid tariffs.

In an emailed statement to CTV News, a Sleeman spokesperson said nothing has been confirmed at this time.

“The relocation of Sapporo 0.0% production for the U.S. market from Sleeman Breweries’ Canadian facilities to Sapporo USA’s U.S. facilities is not imminent or finalized,” the spokesperson said.

“Sapporo 0.0% that is produced in Canada for sale in the US represents only 0.5 per cent of Sleeman Breweries’ total production in Canada.”

The spokesperson added that the company’s beer sold in Canada is all brewed in Canada, with the exception of their 650 mL cans of Sapporo Premium, which are imported from Vietnam.

- With files from Daniel Otis