AB InBev buys out brewer of Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet

Belgian beer giant AB InBev has taken over Bosteels Brewery, the seven-generation company behind specialty beers such as Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet. With the acquisition, the largest brewer in the world becomes even larger, write various Belgian and international media.

According to Belgian media, Heineken was also in the race to take over the brewer, but the company never responded to the rumours.

Founded in 1791, the brewery was owned and run by the Bosteels family for seven generations. Over the past three years, production increased by 50%, making Bosteels one of the 10 largest independent breweries in Belgium.

As demand continues to rise for specialty beers worldwide, sales have only gone up for large breweries like AB Inbev, which has ammassed an eclectic portfolio of specialty beers through similar acquisitions of small family breweries.