Duvel Moortgat buys American craft brewery

The Puurs-based Belgian brewery Duvel Moortgat announced it would enter a "long-term partnership" with American craft brewer Boulevard Brewing Company, thereby strengthening Duvel's already large presence in the North American beer market.

Boulevard Brewing Company was founded in 1989 in Kansas City, Missouri by John McDonald, a man with a passion for Belgian beer. The company with 150 employees is the 12th producer of specialty beers in the U.S., and has a turnover of $40 million.

John McDonald is to remain active as the main shareholder of Boulevard Brewing and on its board of directors. The cost of the deal has not been disclosed.