The fourth-largest craft brewery in the United States announced today that it has been acquired by Lion Little World Beverages, a subsidiary of Japan-based Kirin Holdings.
New Belgium Brewing, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, was founded in 1991. It grew to become one of the country's most prominent independent breweries, famous for beers such as Fat Tire, Voodoo Ranger, and La Folie. It was a pioneer among breweries for its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). In December 2012, after owning up to 41 percent of the company, the employees bought 100 percent of it from CEO and Cofounder Kim Jordan and her family.
The deal with Australia-based Lion, reported to be an all-cash transaction for the entire company, puts an end to the ESOP.