Heineken has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company. Credit: Heineken.

Dutch brewer Heineken has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company (BBC), a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen (B&B), for an undisclosed sum.

B&B has been importing and distributing Heineken brands, such as Heineken, Amstel and Red Stripe in Belize since 2016.

Heineken Americas president Marc Busain said: “We are delighted to announce the new partnership with Belize Brewing Company and the Bowen family.

“We recognise BBC’s strong capabilities and position in the country, which has a fast-developing tourism industry and stable GDP growth and offers a lot of potentials to grow our premium offering, led by the Heineken brand. We look forward to continuing growing together.”

BBC has been engaged in the production of beers in Belize, Central America.

BBC president and CEO Michael Bowen said: “We welcome Heineken as our new partner. Heineken is a world-class family-owned company that shares our values. We look forward to improving and growing our company with the help of our strategic partner.”

In February this year, Heineken opened a new brewery in Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico following an investment of $500m.

This brewery, which is reported to be the seventh one opened by the company in the Central American region, has the production capacity of six million hectolitres annually, and produces brands such as Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken for the Mexican market and for export markets.

Heineken has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and speciality beers and ciders.