COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 312120

Malt Beverages

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

74companies1615–2002founding years74still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedRoyal Grolsch NV
1615
FoundedHeineken N.V.
1873
FoundedThe Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, PLC
1890
FoundedBudweiser Budvar, National Corporation
1895
FoundedAugust Schell Brewing Company Inc.
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedKirin Brewery Company, Limited
1907
FoundedAdolph Coors Company
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedTakara Holdings Inc.
1925
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedLatrobe Brewing Company
1933
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedAsahi Breweries, Ltd.
1949
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedFoster's Group Limited
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedConstellation Brands, Inc.
1972
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedMcMenamins Pubs and Breweries
1983
FoundedThe Boston Beer Company, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedDeschutes Brewery, Inc.FoundedLion Nathan Limited
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedBaltika Brewery Joint Stock Company
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedTsingtao Brewery Group
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Royal Grolsch NV →
Active · founded 1615 · The Netherlands
Koninklijke Grolsch BV, or Royal Grolsch NV, is the second largest beer brewer in The Netherlands.
Royal Grolsch NV →
Active · founded 1615 · The Netherlands
Koninklijke Grolsch BV, or Royal Grolsch NV, is the second largest beer brewer in The Netherlands.
Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1845 · United Kingdom
While its larger U.K.
Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1845 · United Kingdom
While its larger U.K.
Heineken N.V. →
Active · founded 1873 · The Netherlands
1592: An Amsterdam brewery known as De Hooiberg (The Haystack) is established.
Heineken N.V. →
Active · founded 1873 · The Netherlands
1592: An Amsterdam brewery known as De Hooiberg (The Haystack) is established.
Fraser & Neave Ltd. →
Active · founded 1883 · Singapore
One of the largest publicly listed companies in Singapore, Fraser & Neave Ltd.
Fraser & Neave Ltd. →
Active · founded 1883 · Singapore
One of the largest publicly listed companies in Singapore, Fraser & Neave Ltd.
The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, PLC →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, PLC, popularly known as Wolves, is the United Kingdom's largest integrated…
The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, PLC →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, PLC, popularly known as Wolves, is the United Kingdom's largest integrated…
Young & Co.'s Brewery, P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
1581: Humphrey Langridge operates the Ram Brewery.
Young & Co.'s Brewery, P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
1581: Humphrey Langridge operates the Ram Brewery.
Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation →
Active · founded 1895 · Czech Republic
Small but feisty Czech brewer Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation has been battling mighty Anheuser-Busch (A-B) for…
Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation →
Active · founded 1895 · Czech Republic
Small but feisty Czech brewer Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation has been battling mighty Anheuser-Busch (A-B) for…
SABMiller plc →
Active · founded 1895 · United Kingdom
SABMiller plc ranks as the world's second largest brewer in terms of volume, trailing only Anheuser-Busch Companies,…
SABMiller plc →
Active · founded 1895 · United Kingdom
SABMiller plc ranks as the world's second largest brewer in terms of volume, trailing only Anheuser-Busch Companies,…
August Schell Brewing Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
August Schell Brewing Company Inc.
August Schell Brewing Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
August Schell Brewing Company Inc.
Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. →
Active · founded 1902 · Chile
Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A.
Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. →
Active · founded 1902 · Chile
Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A.
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
Longtime leader of the Japanese beer market, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited in the early 2000s was overtaken by its…
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
Longtime leader of the Japanese beer market, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited in the early 2000s was overtaken by its…
Suntory Ltd. →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
1950s:The company develops the Torys bar chain, which grows into more than 1,500 bars.
Suntory Ltd. →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
1950s:The company develops the Torys bar chain, which grows into more than 1,500 bars.
Adolph Coors Company →
Active · founded 1913
Adolph Coors Company is the only family-owned brewery in the United States that was able to survive the late…
Adolph Coors Company →
Active · founded 1913
Adolph Coors Company is the only family-owned brewery in the United States that was able to survive the late…
San Miguel Corporation →
Active · founded 1913 · Philippines
Best known for its internationally distributed beer, San Miguel Corporation can only be described in superlatives.
San Miguel Corporation →
Active · founded 1913 · Philippines
Best known for its internationally distributed beer, San Miguel Corporation can only be described in superlatives.
Takara Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1925 · Japan
Takara Holdings Inc.
Takara Holdings Inc. →
Active · founded 1925 · Japan
Takara Holdings Inc.
Asia Pacific Breweries Limited →
Active · founded 1931 · Singapore
Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam were among Asia Pacific's first targets, but the company's major interest developed in…
Asia Pacific Breweries Limited →
Active · founded 1931 · Singapore
Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam were among Asia Pacific's first targets, but the company's major interest developed in…
Latrobe Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1933
Latrobe Brewing Company brews Rolling Rock beer, one of the leading brands in the United States.
Latrobe Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1933
Latrobe Brewing Company brews Rolling Rock beer, one of the leading brands in the United States.
Empresas Polar SA →
Active · founded 1941 · Venezuela
Empresas Polar SA operates as Venezuela's largest private industrial conglomerate, manufacturing and distributing a…
Empresas Polar SA →
Active · founded 1941 · Venezuela
Empresas Polar SA operates as Venezuela's largest private industrial conglomerate, manufacturing and distributing a…
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Sapporo Breweries Limited →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Over the course of its more than 120-year history, Sapporo Breweries Limited has evolved from a government-owned beer…
Sapporo Breweries Limited →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Over the course of its more than 120-year history, Sapporo Breweries Limited has evolved from a government-owned beer…
Foster's Group Limited →
Active · founded 1962 · Australia
Foster's Group Limited, whose beer commercials once taught drinkers to speak Australian, has also developed a taste for…
Foster's Group Limited →
Active · founded 1962 · Australia
Foster's Group Limited, whose beer commercials once taught drinkers to speak Australian, has also developed a taste for…
Groupe Danone →
Active · founded 1966 · France
Known until 1994 as BSN Groupe S.A., Groupe Danone is one of the largest food companies in the world.
Groupe Danone →
Active · founded 1966 · France
Known until 1994 as BSN Groupe S.A., Groupe Danone is one of the largest food companies in the world.
Constellation Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Constellation Brands, Inc., is the only alcoholic beverage company in the United States involved in all three…
Constellation Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Constellation Brands, Inc., is the only alcoholic beverage company in the United States involved in all three…
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1980
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is one of the top ten beer makers in the United States and the country's largest…
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1980
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is one of the top ten beer makers in the United States and the country's largest…
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries →
Active · founded 1983
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries owns and operates more than 50 establishments in Oregon and the state of Washington and…
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries →
Active · founded 1983
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries owns and operates more than 50 establishments in Oregon and the state of Washington and…
Mendocino Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Mallya's interest in MBC stemmed from his ambitions as a businessman.
Mendocino Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Mallya's interest in MBC stemmed from his ambitions as a businessman.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
As America's leading microbrewer, The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
As America's leading microbrewer, The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
BBAG Osterreichische Brau-Beteiligungs-AG →
Active · founded 1988 · Austria
Linz, Austria's BBAG Österreichische Brau-Beteiligungs AG has been slaking its thirst for growth through a series of…
BBAG Osterreichische Brau-Beteiligungs-AG →
Active · founded 1988 · Austria
Linz, Austria's BBAG Österreichische Brau-Beteiligungs AG has been slaking its thirst for growth through a series of…
Deschutes Brewery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Deschutes Brewery, Inc.
Deschutes Brewery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Deschutes Brewery, Inc.
Interbrew S.A. →
Active · founded 1988 · Belgium
With operations on every continent on the globe, Belgium's Interbrew S.A.
Interbrew S.A. →
Active · founded 1988 · Belgium
With operations on every continent on the globe, Belgium's Interbrew S.A.
Lion Nathan Limited →
Active · founded 1988 · Australia
Lion Nathan Limited is one of the leading brewers in the Australasian region, with the number one spot in New Zealand…
Lion Nathan Limited →
Active · founded 1988 · Australia
Lion Nathan Limited is one of the leading brewers in the Australasian region, with the number one spot in New Zealand…
New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc., is one of the largest regional specialty brewers in the United States, producing…
New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc., is one of the largest regional specialty brewers in the United States, producing…
Baltika Brewery Joint Stock Company →
Active · founded 1992 · Russia
Baltika Brewery Joint Stock Company is the largest beer brewer in Russia, with about 20 percent of the domestic market.
Baltika Brewery Joint Stock Company →
Active · founded 1992 · Russia
Baltika Brewery Joint Stock Company is the largest beer brewer in Russia, with about 20 percent of the domestic market.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Tsingtao Brewery Group →
Active · founded 1997 · China
Tsingtao Brewery Group is the parent of publicly traded Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, which is renowned for its…
Tsingtao Brewery Group →
Active · founded 1997 · China
Tsingtao Brewery Group is the parent of publicly traded Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, which is renowned for its…
Companhia de Bebidas das Américas →
Active · founded 2000 · Brazil
AmBev, more formally known as Companhia de Bebidas das Américas, is the world's fifth largest brewer.
Companhia de Bebidas das Américas →
Active · founded 2000 · Brazil
AmBev, more formally known as Companhia de Bebidas das Américas, is the world's fifth largest brewer.
C.I. Traders Limited →
Active · founded 2002 · United Kingdom
1980s:Le Riche debuts the Stampers convenience store format.
C.I. Traders Limited →
Active · founded 2002 · United Kingdom
1980s:Le Riche debuts the Stampers convenience store format.
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