Heineken acquires minority stake in Belize Brewing Company

Heineken has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company, which it describes as “Belize’s market leader in beer”, to expand its operations in Central America.

Belize Brewing is a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen, which has been an importer and distributor of Heineken brands including Heineken, Amstel and Red Stripe in Belize since 2016. It also owns the Belikin beer brand.

Marc Busain, president of Heineken’s Americas unit, said: “We are delighted to announce the new partnership with Belize Brewing Company and the Bowen family. We recognise BBC’s strong capabilities and position in the country, which has a fast-developing tourism industry and stable GDP growth, and offers a lot of potential to grow our premium offering, led by the Heineken brand. We look forward to continue growing together.”

Belize Brewing Company CEO Michael Bowen added: “We welcome Heineken as our new partner. Heineken is a world-class family-owned company that shares our values. We look forward to improving and growing our company with the help of our strategic partner.”

Heineken, the world’s second-largest beer company, boosted its business in Mexico earlier this year, opening its seventh brewery in the country, following a $500 million investment. The site has a production capacity of 6 million hectolitres per year.

In 2016, the company invested €16 million in a new production line at its factory in Kingston, Jamaica, used to brew the lager Red Stripe.

In its most recent quarterly results, Heineken saw its beer volumes rise 6.8% in its Americas division with the Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken brands all performing strongly in Mexico.