Heineken buys remaining shares in Beavertown

Heineken UK has purchased the remaining shares in Beavertown Brewery, assuming full ownership of the London outfit.

The full acquisition follows Heineken's purchase of a 49% stake of the Beavertown business in June 2018 for a reported £40m. The purchase amount for the remaining shares has not be disclosed.

As part of the newest agreement between the two companies, Beavertown founder Logan Plant will step down as CEO and move into a new advisory role, with Heineken's Jochen Van Esch taking on a new managing director position.

Beavertown will continue to be operated separately to Heineken UK, with its own functional teams, including sales, marketing and brewing.

“Beavertown began in my kitchen, 10 years ago," says Plant. "From brewing in a rice pan to one of the most successful British brewers in recent years, employing over 160 people and brewing 360,000 hectolitres of beer. Its success is something I could never have predicted back then, and I am extremely proud that we have agreed the deal with Heineken UK, which is the natural next step for Beavertown, its brands and, most importantly, its people."

Van Esch has worked for Heineken for over 20 years, and has been at Heineken UK since 2014, when he began as brewery operations director. 

“I’ve worked closely alongside Logan and the team for five years now, during which the new brewery has been built, we’ve opened the first Beavertown pub, and the brand has become one of the most popular super premium beers in the country," he says. “Beavertown’s journey will not see huge change because the strategy is right – the brand is in growth, it has a fantastic culture and work ethos and people love the beers.  We will support, invest and grow the company, and I am incredibly excited about the future.”  

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