AB InBev snaps up another craft brewer
Last week the beer behemoth announced it would sell Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime to Japanese firm Asahi, as part of its takeover of SABMiller.
In the last 24 hours AB InBev revealed it had acquired Italy’s Birra del Borgo for an undisclosed sum, making the Italian-based brewer the second craft brewery acquired by AB InBev this year, after purchasing US Devil’s Backbone in April.
Camden Town Brewery
ABInBev in brands:
- Stella Artois
- Budweiser
- Corona
- Leffe
- Hoegaarden
- Brahma
- Bass
- Boddingtons
AB InBev also bought the Camden Town Brewery in December last year.
Birra del Borgo founder and chief executive officer Leonardo Di Vincenzo will remain the head of the brand. The acquisition would allow the brewer to develop its business in an extremely competitive market, he said.
“Today the beer sector has become very competitive and it is necessary for us to make a next step to ensure that we can continue to evolve in terms of brewing techniques and in terms of the complexity and taste variation we can offer to consumers,” Vincenzo added.
Partnering with AB InBev would be a “great opportunity” to help it do that and would allow Birra del Borgo the chance to grow in a sustainable way, he claimed.
Simon Wuestenberg, country director for AB InBev Italy, said: “We have been very impressed by what Leonardo and his team have built since 2005.
Italian craft beer
“They have been at the forefront of redefining beer in Italy, bringing a unique mix of inspired innovation, quality and consistency.”
Last week AB InBev agreed to sell three of its beer brands to Asahi to avoid any potential issues with competition laws.
The buyout will be completed on conclusion of AB InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller, which is expected to be finalised later this year.
