Stella Artois producer accused of monopoly

Belgian brewer Interbrew might be forced to give up some of its brands following the takeover of British company Bass, operating in the same business, if proven that the move breaches Great Britain’s norms of free competition on the beer market.

In June, Interbrew purchased Bass for L2.3 billion ($3.4 billion), becoming thus the European leader and world-second company in beer industry.

Through this take-over, Interbrew’s market share in Great Britain reached 32%. Consequently, the Belgian company was placed under observation by the British body in charge with protection of free competition, which is to receive European Commission’s consent to open an investigation meant to show whether the company holds a dominant position on the market, breaching community regulations in this field.

At the beginning of the year, Interbrew bought another brewer, Whitbread. Interbrew Group has been present on Romanian market since 1993, with its brands Stella Artois, Bergenbier and Hopfen Konig, manufactured in two mixed companies based in Blaj (Bianca Interbrew Bergenbeer) and Baia Mare (Proberco).