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06/2023

OEDIPUS acquired by HEINEKEN

NETHERLANDS Food Processing / Beverages / Wines & Spirits REV 1m EUR - 100m EUR

Context

Heineken N.V. strengthened its position in the craft beer segment through the acquisition of the remaining shares of Oedipus Brewing, having previously held a minority stake since 2019. Based in Amsterdam, Oedipus has established itself as a recognised craft beer brand through its distinctive identity, community-driven culture and portfolio of differentiated products, building a loyal consumer base in the Dutch market. The transaction takes place against a backdrop of increasing consolidation within the craft brewing sector, which has faced pressure from rising raw material, energy and labour costs. The partnership initiated in 2019 had already enabled Oedipus to diversify its distribution channels by expanding into retail while preserving its independent brand image and strong connection with consumers. For Heineken, the acquisition forms part of a broader strategy to increase exposure to premium and craft beer categories alongside its core portfolio. Oedipus contributes a highly differentiated brand, an engaged consumer community and recognised product innovation capabilities. The transaction also provides Oedipus with greater access to procurement, distribution and investment resources to support its next phase of growth and production expansion.

As a reminder, the company was previously acquired by Heineken in 2019 as part of its expansion strategy.

OEDIPUS, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2023, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the AgriFood sector (10.5x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Oedipus Brewing is a Dutch craft brewery based in Amsterdam, focused on premium craft beer production. The company has built a distinctive position within the Dutch beer market through a strong brand identity combining brewing innovation, artistic expression and local cultural engagement. Its flagship products, including Mannenliefde, Thai Thai and Gaia, have established the brand among urban consumers and craft beer enthusiasts. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Oedipus operates brewing and hospitality facilities while distributing its products through a multi-channel network spanning retail, foodservice and direct-to-consumer channels. Originally focused on the domestic market, the company has expanded its visibility through premium positioning and community-driven marketing initiatives centred around culture, events and creative collaborations.

Ent. Value

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Multiples

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EV / EBITDA

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Historical Financials (EUR)

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2023
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2022
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Other operations with OEDIPUS

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sector, Deal Context)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
06/2019HEINEKENOEDIPUSNETHERLANDSFood Processing

Heineken N.V., a global brewing group, acquired a minority stake in Oedipus Brewing in 2019, an independent Amsterdam-based craft brewery rooted in the Dutch urban craft beer scene. The transaction reflects a strategic investment into a high-identity craft player positioned in differentiated beer segments. Heineken’s minority investment took place in a context of accelerating craft beer growth in the Netherlands, characterised by market fragmentation and the emergence of numerous microbreweries. For Oedipus, the transaction provided access to growth capital to support production capacity expansion, while enabling broader commercial reach through Heineken’s distribution infrastructure. The deal reflects Heineken’s strategy of investing in high-identity premium brands without immediate control, aimed at capturing craft-driven premiumisation trends. Oedipus remains an independent brewery with its own management and creative positioning, while benefiting from the industrial and commercial capabilities of a global brewing group.

REFERENCES

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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Target: oedipus

Acquirer: heineken