Shanghai's Boxing Cat Brewery Acquired by AB InBev
By Betty Richardson
If you needed any further proof that AB InBev really, really cares about the China craft beer market, look no further than their latest acquisition: Shanghai's very own Boxing Cat Brewery, as reported by DRiNK Magazine.
Founded by serial restaurateur Kelley Lee and business partner Lee Tseng in 2008, Boxing Cat's success has seen three spin-off branches and their beers on taps all around the city.
And if you're not sure who AB InBev are, well, think of them as the world's largest brewer. They have a multi-billion dollar portfolio of some 400 of the world's best known beer brands, including Stella Artois, Budweiser, Corona, Hoegaarden, Foster's, Carling, Leffe, Beck's, Harbin Ice, oh, and distribution rights to Bacardi.
Yeah. They're kind of a "big deal."
However, in response to the craft beer movement of late, AB InBev's acquisitions have included local 'champion brands,' the most publicized (and notorious) being beloved Chicago brewery Goose Island, who recently entered the China market and just last month opened their first Goose Island Brewhouse in Jing'an (below).
Speaking to That's, Boxing Cat co-founder Kelley Lee explained the group's excitement over the acqusition, noting that they're delighted to have access to the "incredible resources" that come with AB InBev, which will enable them to continue spreading the gospel of good quality Chinese-made craft beer.
Following the acquisition, AB InBev will assume all brewing operations and management of their three venues. The move from AB InBev follows on from a prior acquisition of Kaiba, a locally-grown Belgian beer cafe and tap house, also with three branches in Shanghai.
Boxing Cat Brewery (Fuxing Lu) - 82 Fuxing Xi Lu, by Yongfu Lu 复兴西路82号，近永福路; Boxing Cat Brewery (Sinan Mansions) - Sinan Mansions, 519-521 Fuxing Zhong Lu, by Sinan Lu 复兴中路519-521号，近思南路; Boxing Cat Brewery (Hongqiao) - 100 Zunyi Lu, by Ziyun Lu 遵义路100号，近紫云路
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