The Netherlands: Heineken buys minority stake in craft brewery Oedipus

Heineken bought a minority share in Amsterdam craft brewery Oedipus, the NL Times reported on June 6.

Specific details about the deal - like how big the Heineken share is and what the Dutch beer giant paid for it - were not revealed, ANP reports.

Oedipus was established in an Amsterdam kitchen in 2011. In 2015 the company opened its own brewery, with a bar attached. Oedipus will remain an independent brewery with its owners leading the business. But Heineken's shares mean that the small craft brewery can make use of Heineken's knowledge on beer and brewing techniques.

"Dreams need investments and we felt the time was right to make an active choice about our future", Oedipus said in a press release. The founders' dreams include a "modern, sustainable farm brewery in or around Amsterdam", and a new bar that pays attention to beer, food, music and culture, according to the news wire.

Large brewers are increasingly interested in craft beers. Heineken itself already acquired the American Lagunitas and owns an online store called Beerwulf that sells various craft beers.

06 June, 2019