AB-InBev acquires Kwak-brewer Bosteels

A buyer no one had on the radar has snatched up the Belgian brewer Bosteels. Media reported on 9 September 2016 that AB-InBev has purchased the 225-year-old Brouwerij Bosteels, best known for its Kwak and Karmeliet beers.

Although no financial details were disclosed, media have pegged the deal at USD 225 million.

Bosteels will join AB-InBev’s portfolio of European craft and specialty beer. This portfolio, part of the company’s ZX Ventures division, already includes popular craft brands like Italy’s Birra Del Borgo, Camden Town from London, Cervejaria Colorado in Columbia, Cervejaria Wäls in Brazil and Cerveza Bocanegra in Mexico, among others. The ZX Ventures division operates out of a New York office.

The focus will be to grow Bosteels’ presence in European export markets while also continuing to export small volumes to the US.

Backed by the private equity firm Waterland, which took a 50 percent stake in Bosteels in 2014, beer production grew to more than 145,000 hl last year, it was reported.