FDBusiness.com

Heineken has acquired all the remaining shares in Lagunitas Brewing Company, the US-based craft brewer. Lagunitas will continue to operate as an independent entity within Heineken and will report within the Heineken Americas Region.

Heineken has enjoyed a successful partnership with Lagunitas since 2015, when it acquired a 50% stake in the company. Since then Lagunitas has continued to outperform the US beer market, where craft beer now represents about 11% of total volume. Lagunitas is the market leader in the IPA segment, the fastest growing sub-segment within craft, and sold over 1 million hectolitres in 2016.

Heineken has helped to expand Lagunitas’ international presence, including entry into new markets such as France, Mexico, Italy and Spain, and extended the brand’s availability in markets including the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden and Japan. Following this transaction Heineken will accelerate the export of Lagunitas to many more markets around the world.

“Our partnership with Lagunitas has been a great success,” says Jean-François van Boxmeer, chairman and chief executive of Heineken. “We look forward to accelerating the roll-out of the Lagunitas brand to many more markets, and sharing Lagunitas craft beer with many more consumers around the world.”

The transaction has been completed with immediate effect. Financial terms are not disclosed.