DB Breweries has bought Wellington craft beer stalwart Tuatara Brewing Company for an undisclosed sum, and plans to introduce the craft beer to a global market.
The Wellington craft brewing company was founded in 2000. Photo: Facebook / Tuatara Brewing Company
The large New Zealand brewing company, which is owned by the Heineken Company, does not intend to change Tuatara's recipe or replace founder Carl Vasta as the master brewer, as well as other members of the management team.
DB managing director Andy Routley said Tuatara's brewery would continue to be based in Paraparaumu but would eventually scale up to increase production, well beyond its current annual volume of two million litres of beer.
"Craft beer is an exciting segment of the Kiwi beer market and Tuatara is the champion of Kiwi craft breweries," Mr Routley said.
A recent report by the ANZ Bank indicated a strong demand for craft beer, with market share increasing to 15 percent last year, from 9 percent three years earlier.
Tuatara recently won the Supreme Award at the Brewers Guild of New Zealand 2016 Beer Awards.