United Breweries Limited (UBL) is one of India’s largest beverage companies. It is most famous for its beer brand, Kingfisher, which is also owned by United Breweries Limited (UBL). But many people are confused about who owns UBL now, especially after big changes in recent years.
In this article, we’ll explain everything about who owns United Breweries today and how it changed hands over time.
Ownership Details of United Breweries
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | United Breweries Limited (UBL) |
| Current Main Owner | Heineken N.V. |
| Ownership Percentage | Over 61% |
| Former Owner | Vijay Mallya |
| Year Heineken Took Control | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, India |
| Listed on | National Stock Exchange (NSE) |
What is United Breweries?
United Breweries Limited (UBL) is an Indian company that makes and sells beer and other drinks. It was started more than 100 years ago and is based in Bengaluru. The majority owner of UBL is a Dutch company called Heineken N.V..
It is best known for making Kingfisher Beer, which is one of the most popular beers in India.
Who Owns United Breweries Now?
As of 2025, the majority owner of United Breweries is a Dutch company called Heineken N.V.
- Heineken owns more than 61% of United Breweries.
- That means Heineken controls the company and makes the big decisions.
- This happened after years of slow investment and share buying by Heineken.
Heineken N.V. is a very big beer company from the Netherlands in Europe. It is one of the top three beer companies in the world.
Some of its popular brands include:
- Heineken
- Tiger Beer
- Amstel
- Strongbow (cider)
- And in India — Kingfisher Beer
Heineken has been working with United Breweries since 2008, but became the majority owner in 2021.
Who Was the Original Owner of United Breweries?
The original owner of United Breweries was Vijay Mallya, an Indian businessman. He was also known as the “King of Good Times.”
Under his leadership, Kingfisher Beer became very popular, and he also started Kingfisher Airlines, a luxury airline in India.
Why Did Vijay Mallya Leave the Company?
Vijay Mallya faced serious money problems:
- His airline, Kingfisher Airlines, shut down in 2012 due to heavy losses.
- He could not repay loans worth thousands of crores taken from Indian banks.
- The Indian government declared him a fugitive economic offender.
- In 2016, he left India and moved to the UK.
- In 2019, he was extradited (sent back) to India and is currently facing legal action.
Because of this, he lost control of United Breweries, and Heineken took over.
How Did Heineken Take Over?
Heineken first invested in United Breweries in 2008. Then, step-by-step, it bought more shares.
- In 2019, Heineken increased its stake to around 50%.
- By July 2021, Heineken owned more than 61%, becoming the majority shareholder.
- Since then, Heineken has full control of the company.
Does United Breweries Still Make Kingfisher Beer?
Yes! Even though Heineken now owns the company, Kingfisher Beer is still being made and sold across India and abroad.
Types of Kingfisher Beer:
- Kingfisher Premium
- Kingfisher Ultra
- Kingfisher Strong
- Kingfisher Premium Light
Heineken has kept the Kingfisher brand alive and even promoted it internationally.
Final Thoughts
Today, United Breweries is mostly owned by Heineken, a Dutch beer giant. They took control in 2021 after buying over 61% of the company.
Earlier, it was owned by Vijay Mallya, but he left India due to financial and legal issues. Despite these changes, Kingfisher Beer remains a top-selling brand in India.
FAQs
Q1: Who owns United Breweries now?
A: Heineken N.V., a Dutch beer company, owns the majority of United Breweries.
Q2: Did Vijay Mallya own United Breweries before?
A: Yes, he used to be the chairman and major shareholder until 2021.
Q3: When did Heineken take over UBL?
A: Heineken officially became the majority owner in July 2021.
Q4: Is Kingfisher Beer still made in India?
A: Yes, Kingfisher is brewed in India by United Breweries under Heineken.
Q5: What other brands does Heineken own?
A: Heineken owns global brands like Tiger Beer, Amstel, Sol, and Strongbow.
Q6: Where is United Breweries based?
A: Its headquarters is in Bengaluru, India.
United Breweries Limited Official Site
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