Boulevard Brewing of Kansas City and Duvel Moortgat, the Belgian owners of Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York to better promote the continued growth and success of their widely respected brands.
The deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2013, will allow Moortgat to secure the resources of Boulevard in Kansas City and extend its regional presence in the US and Europe. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 1871, Moortgat produces premium beers including Duvel, Chouffe, and Liefmans at various breweries in Belgium.
Following the deal, the Moortgat family will retain their ownership structure in Europe, but will make Boulevard Brewing founder John McDonald as a partner in the new US-based company.
Post acquisition, Boulevard will continue to work on its sustainability initiatives such as support for Ripple Glass, the glass recycling company founded by McDonald, and other brewery principals.
McDonald said he wanted to find a way to take the business to the next level while retaining its essence, its people, its personality -- all the characteristics that make their beer and their brewery so important to Kansas City and the Midwest.
"Duvel Moortgat's commitment to quality and independence, and their proven record helping breweries fulfill their potential, made this a perfect fit and an easy decision," McDonald added.
Duvel Moortgat CEO Michel Moortgat said, "Our companies share the same values. We have great mutual respect for each other's achievements and maintain a deeply-held belief in exceptional quality as the platform for long-term success."
