DB Breweries, the New Zealand beer maker owned by Heineken, has acquired one of the country’s largest craft brewers.
Tuatara produced more than 2 million litres of beer last year – including Tuatara Mot Eureka pilsner, Sauvinova pale ale and Weiz Guy hefeweizen. In the past 16 years, it’s gone from a backyard operation in rural New Zealand to one of the country’s major players in the craft beer market.
All of its brews are authentically crafted beers that deliver a Kiwi take on traditional and new-age styles.
Co-founder Carl Vasta, who will remain with the business alongside logistics manager Simone Vasta and their son Adam, reassured consumers that the quality of their beers wouldn’t be affected by the new partnership.
“We’re changing the shareholding, we’re not changing the recipe,” he said. “Brewing beer and talking about beer is my passion. With the support of my family, we have been able to grow Tuatara into a successful business.
“In order to take things to the next level we need assistance. That’s why we’ve teamed up with DB. Now, I intend to get back to the brewing and step out of the business end.”
DB Breweries managing director Andy Routley said: “Craft beer is an exciting segment of the Kiwi beer market, and Tuatara is the champion of Kiwi craft breweries. We are excited by Tuatara for three reasons. Firstly, Carl and his team are passionate about making great beer and their customers are equally passionate about enjoying it. Secondly, they have a focus on quality and innovation. And thirdly, we believe that the beers they produce have all the characteristics for their continued success in the wider local and global marketplace.
“We want to see Tuatara achieve its full potential, so we’re not going to mess with a winning formula.”
Routley paid tribute to the Vastas’ achievements and said that he was ‘excited to tap into their craft beer knowledge and expertise’.
He added that the plan for the future was relatively simple: the family operation would continue to make high-quality beer, while Heineken-owned DB would concentrate on securing wider distribution and getting it into the hands of more drinkers.
Following a previous round of funding, Tuatara has spent the last two years focusing on innovation and increasing its brewing capacity in order to break into international markets.
According to Tuatara national sales manager Blair Harley, teaming up with DB Breweries will help to take that effort further.
Harley said: “This is an exciting time for Tuatara. We have made some ground going it alone but with the backing of DB we truly believe we can take Tuatara and Kiwi craft beer to the global stage. We look forward to working together to build more successful trade relationships in the future.”
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