Heineken acquires all shares in Lagunitas

Brewing giant Heineken is to buy the remaining 50% stake in Californian craft brewer Lagunitas, taking complete control of the brand.

Heineken acquired a 50% stake in the brewer in 2015 and since that time has worked to expand Lagunitas’ global presence, expanding existing markets in the UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan and creating entirely new markets in France, Mexico, Italy and Spain.

The deal has already been finalized but both parties have agreed not to disclose the final price.

Heineken chairman and CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer said: “Our partnership with Lagunitas has been a great success and today’s announcement marks the next stage of an exciting journey. We look forward to accelerating the rollout of the Lagunitas brand to many more markets, and sharing Lagunitas craft beer with many more consumers around the world.”

Although Lagunitas will now be entirely owned by Heineken, the brand will be treated as a separate entity with founder and chairman, Tony Magee, remaining in place as executive chairman.

Magee commented: “During the 19 months of our partnership we have come to trust and truly believe in each other. Through that we have found ourselves aligned on how to bring the vibe of US craft-brewing to beer lovers everywhere. Only by fully committing to this relationship can we both respond to the historic opportunity that awaits us in all 24 time zones.”

Heineken’s total acquisition of Lagunitas is merely the latest in a number of such deals where big name brewers have swallowed up successful craft brewers in both the US and UK as the growth of the category has made the likes of Heineken and AB InBev sit up and take notice. Brooklyn Brewing, Goose Island, Elysian, Founders and Meantime are just a few of the brands now part of the portfolios of larger brewers.