Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) is investing deeper into its beyond beer portfolio with the acquisition of Ocean City, Maryland-based hard tea maker Hoop Tea.
“The team at Hoop Tea has created an incredible brand with an even better product offering,” Fabricio Zonzini, A-B’s beyond beer president, said in a press release. “I look forward to working alongside Hoop Tea’s founder, Danny Robinson, and vice president, Billy Gilman, to develop and grow the brand to its full potential.”
Launched in 2015, Hoop Tea produces hard teas and tea-infused hard seltzers, with flavors such as Goji Berry Green Tea, Peach Tea Lemonade, Pineapple Passionfruit and White Mango. It offers its products in a variety of SKUs, including “ready-to-share pouches” — 3L portable bags with a spigot for pouring.
“Joining Anheuser-Busch is a perfect fit for us because we share a culture of daring innovation and strategic growth,” Robinson, founder and CEO, said in the release. “Hoop Tea’s roots were planted in a laid-back beach town and we’ve relentlessly strived to build and develop our brand over the past several years. Working with the team at A-B is like hanging out with old friends and we’re excited to do some really cool things together.”
The “official drink of day drinking” will join A-B’s beyond beer portfolio, which includes Cacti, Cutwater Spirits, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, and Kombrewcha. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Robinson will continue to lead the company’s daily operations.
Heineken to Take Over South Africa’s Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries
Heineken has announced the planned acquisition of South African wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings, for 2.2 billion euros ($2.5 billion), Reuters reported today.
Heineken will also acquire a majority ownership stake in Namibia Breweries, as well as Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies (O&L), forming a drinks group valued at 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), according to Bloomberg.
“We have successfully built our business in Africa over 100 years,” Dolf van den Brink, Heineken chief executive, said in a press release. “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the long-term prospects of South Africa and Namibia and we commit to being a strong partner for growth and to make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate.”
Van den Brink told Reuters that with the move, “it should be seen that [Heineken] now start to buy spirits and wine companies all over the world.”
The transaction will “create a Southern Africa champion and an important gateway to Africa, the next frontier of growth,” according to the release. Heineken adds to its multi-category portfolio of South African brands, which now includes Savanna Dry and Hunter’s hard cider, 4th Street wine, and Amarula cream liqueur.
This is the first major deal for Van den Brink, who took over in June 2020. Distell CEO Richard Rushton told Reuters the deal will likely close by the end of December 2022.
Anheuser-Busch Acquires Remaining Stake in Washington’s Crown Distributing
Anheuser-Busch is acquiring the remaining stake in Crown Distributing in Arlington, Washington, the company announced last week. A-B already holds a 49% share of Crown through a subsidiary, and the company plans to fold the distributor into its AB One of Washington wholly owned distribution branch.
“The Crown Distributing transaction is subject to regulatory approval,” an A-B spokesperson said. “If approved, our owned distribution operations will remain in full compliance with all regulatory requirements.”
A-B said the agreement also includes the transition of Crown’s non-A-B distribution rights, pending supplier approvals. Crown employees will have the opportunity to join AB One, the company added.
“We are taking these steps to protect our business and ensure the best possible level of service for our valued retailers and consumers,” A-B said in the announcement. “Alongside our independent wholesaler network, AB ONE is a critical asset and plays an integral role in our company’s sales strategy, enabling us to be closer to our consumers and to develop future leaders and pilot new consumer propositions, technology ideas and route-to-market approaches, and then scale those best practices to our wholesaler system.”