Heineken is taking over 50% at Californian Lagunitasa

Beer giant, Heineken is taking over 50% share at independent brewery Lagunitas Brewing Co, world media report.

It is one of the biggest breweries in USA and the second in California. Although financial terms have not been published, analysts believe that it is about USD 1 billion.

Founder and executive manager, Tony Mageea started Lagunitas in 1993 , and he produced the first beer quantities in his own kitchen. Lagunitas today produces more than 20 kinds of beer, Lagunitas IPA among them, for which Heineken claims is the strongest IPA brand in America.

Today, the company exports to Great Britain, Japan and Sweden and it is expected that this year it will produce more than 800.000 barrels of beer. Annual sales is estimated at USD 200 m.