Investment fund CVC Capital Partners sold brewer StarBev, which owns Romanian brewer Bergenbier, in a deal worth USD 3.65 billion (some EUR 2.6 billion). The buyer was American brewing company Molson Coors Brewing Company. The news comes after international media reported on Japanese Asahi being close to finalizing the deal for StarBev. CVC invested in StarBev allowing the company to acquire AB-InBev’s CEE brewing assets in December 2009, for some EUR 2.2 billion.

“The acquisition of StarBev fits squarely into Molson Coors’ strategy to increase our portfolio of premium brands and deepen our reach into growth markets around the world,” said Peter Swinburn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Molson Coors.

Via the acquisition Molson Coors gains a foothold in Central and Eastern Europe, where it plans to launch its brands, such as Carling.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Prague, Czech Republic, StarBev operates nine breweries in Central and Eastern Europe. It generated sales of nearly EUR 0.7 billion in 2011, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 241 million.

StarBev employs approximately 4,100 people and brews approximately 13 million hectoliters annually. Starbev’s portfolio includes local beers such as Borsodi, Kamenitza, Bergenbier, Ozusko, Jelen and Niksicko and also distributes brands such as Stella Artois, Beck’s, Hoegaarden, Löwenbräu and Leffe under license.

Bergenbier, with a turnover of some EUR 112 million in 2010, produces beer under the brands Bergenbier, Noroc, Staropramen, Stella Artois, Beck’s and Löwenbräu. Following the close, StarBev will be operated as a separate business unit within Molson Coors and will be headquartered in the Czech Republic.

editor@romania-insider.com