Belize: Heineken acquires minority stake in Belize Brewing

Heineken International announced on Friday that it has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company, Belize's market leader in beer and a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen Ltd (B&B), which has been an importer and distributor of Heineken brands including Heineken®, Amstel and Red Stripe in Belize since 2016.

The Belize Brewing Company was established in 1969, and starting brewing of its signature Belikin Beer brand in 1971. The name "Belikin" comes from the Maya language and means "Route to the East". The Belikin label features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple-pyramid.

Marc Busain, President Americas at Heineken, 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."

Michael Bowen, who joined the family business in 2000 and who took the helm as President/CEO at Belize Brewing Company Ltd in 2010 when Sir Barry Bowen died in a plane crash, said: "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."

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