Danish multinational brewer Carlsberg has acquired a 20% stake in Mikkeller from New York-based private equity firm Orkila Capital, the Denmark-based craft brewery announced.
The sale price was not disclosed. The Drinks Business, citing an insider, reported that the transaction means “Mikkeller becomes a Carlsberg brand” and founder “Mikkel [Bjergsø] walks away with a big wedge and still owns shares.”
Bjergsø is retaining a controlling interest in the business, as well as the CEO role.
As for Orkila, which acquired a minority stake in the business in 2016, the firm remains the second largest shareholder in the craft brewery, according to the announcement on the Mikkeller website. Orkila appears to have been unwilling to fully exit Mikkeller and held 49% of the company prior to the deal, per The Drinks Business.
“For many years, we have offered our customers quality beer, but we have lacked well-established sales channels,” Bjergsø said in the announcement. “With Carlsberg’s considerable sales apparatus, this partnership offers us an opportunity to reach many more consumers.
“2023 was a really good year for Mikkeller,” he continued. “After some challenging years we managed to get the business and our profitability back on track. Now, with Carlsberg on board as well, our distribution in Denmark will be taken to the next level. I am excited about the coming years, where we are truly ready to put Denmark on the map among the best beer nations worldwide.”
Carlsberg Denmark CEO Peter Haahr Nielsen added: “Mikkeller is a strong brand, and we will do what we can to help it achieve even more success amongst customers and consumers in Denmark. We have an exciting portfolio of specialty beers, and with this partnership, we will be able to offer customers and consumers even more unique varieties in this category. We are intent on Mikkeller keeping its very particular characteristics while we with our execution apparatus contribute towards growth in the brand.”
The partnership will take hold in the second half of 2024, aiming to ramp up sales and distribution in Denmark.
Meanwhile, Mikkeller’s bars and restaurants in Denmark and around the world will continue to operate as is by the Mikkeller team.
Mikkeller no longer operates physical locations in the U.S., following the closure of locations in San Diego, San Francisco and New York in 2022 and 2023.