Denmark: Royal Unibrew buys Copenhagen-based microbrewery

Royal Unibrew has entered into an agreement to acquire Copenhagen-based microbrewery Nørrebro Bryghus. The brewery was established twenty yeas ago in Nørrebro, a district of Copenhagen and has a strong tie to local consumers in Denmark’s capital.

Through the acquisition, Royal Unibrew says it expects to increase its presence in Copenhagen and strengthen its portfolio of craft beers. The company also sees opportunities for the beers of Nørrebro outside of Copenhagen, where the brewery can profit from Royal Unibrew’s “strong distribution platform”.

Terms and details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The deal is a further step in the expansion strategy of the second largest Danish brewery group. Several companies have already been taken over in recent years, including Toronto/Canada-based craft brewery Amsterdam Brewery Co. (inside.beer, 15.7.2022); Hansa Borg Bryggerier from Norway (inside.beer, 7.1.2022); import company Solera Beverage Group (September 2021); and Bryggeriet S. C. Fuglsang including its non-alcoholic subsidiary Mineralvandsfabrikken Frem  (inside.beer, 18.6.2021). The takeover of the leading Scandinavian mineral water producer Aqua d’Or from Danone, however, was canceled in October, following anti-trust concerns of the authorities (inside.beer, 24.10.2022).

Managing director and co-owner of Nørrebro Bryghus, Martin Thomsen, said: “We have found a new owner, who we believe can continue the Nørrebro Bryghus brand…we have built up over two decades. Unibrew will fit well into the brand they have historically created with other iconic, local brands. We are proud of the chapter we have written. It is sad, but nevertheless the right decision.”

Director of Royal Unibrew Denmark, Kasper Ryttersgaard Jacobsen, added: “Royal Unibrew has been given the opportunity to take over and develop a strong, locally based brand with a significant market in Copenhagen. It is a beacon in the Danish beer culture…. We look forward to building good partnerships with Nørrebro Bryghus’ existing customers and offering Royal Unibrew’s customers an even larger and more diverse range of beers”.

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