Tripel Karmeliet Brewer Sells to AB-Inbev

Acquisitions within the beer world are becoming fairly routine. Whether it is larger craft beer breweries acquiring smaller craft breweries or mega brewing companies purchasing craft breweries, the result is an ever-tightening of the beer market. But also, the buying and selling means greater access to brands that beer-lovers may not otherwise be able to purchase locally. (see my post, Craft Beer Mergers)

But, the brewery purchasing mania does not end with just craft breweries. Over the past five to ten years, foreign brands have been snapped up by various entities, too. This is especially true of Belgian brands that, to many beer enthusiasts, are nothing less than the nectar of the Gods.

On September 8, 2016 Brewery Bosteels announced its acquisition by AB InBev but that Antoine Bosteels, 7th -generation company head would remain at the helm. Bosteels, the brewry responsible for such iconic Belgian brands as Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet sold to the international beer behemoth for €200 million (about $225 million).

In an article for Beer Connoisseur, Sean Knoll, CEO of Artisanal Inports, the U.S. distributer of Bosteel brands said, “The integrity of Bosteels as a traditional Belgian family brewery and the quality of its beer remains unchanged despite the new parent company.”

This in response to reports that some retailers and on-premises sellers had threatened to pull the beers from their shelves and taps.

AB-Inbev already owns Belgian brands Stella Artois, Leffe and Hoegaarden.