Costco Ends Kirkland Signature Craft Beer Partnership

Costco is discontinuing its popular Kirkland Signature craft beer lineup, ending a two-year partnership with Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery. The wholesale giant will halt production this month, with the Kirkland Signature Helles Lager and Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale expected to vanish from warehouse shelves by September or October. The company has not provided an official explanation for ending the licensing deal.

The decision marks the end of the only beer products in Costco's private-label portfolio. The partnership launched in December 2024, with 12-packs retailing for approximately $13 to $16, offering a budget-friendly craft option that quickly gained a passionate following. The Helles Lager, in particular, earned critical acclaim, winning a silver medal at the World Beer Cup in 2025 and a bronze in 2026, as well as a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.

Deschutes Brewery chief executive officer Peter Skrbek notified distributors of the scale-back in an early July memo. The partnership had provided a significant economic boost to the brewery. Before securing the Costco contract, Deschutes had experienced an 11 percent decline in sales volume in 2023. The...