Beirut, Lebanon – 10 January 2022 – Philippe Jabre, the third generation Jabre family member, has acquired majority ownership of Brasserie Almaza S.A.L. (“Almaza”), the quintessential Lebanese beer brewery, bringing the company back into family control almost 90 years after it was founded by the Jabre family in 1933. Heineken Group, which had a majority stake in the company since 2003, remains a minority shareholder and will continue to provide access to international brands and technical expertise.
Almaza is a successful and resilient business that has weathered well the challenging economic situation in Lebanon. The decision by Philippe Jabre to acquire majority control will help secure a durable and long-term future for the company and its employees.
Philippe Jabre said: “Ever since the Almaza brewery was founded by my grandfather and relatives in 1933, the Jabre family always remained involved and committed to the company. Our priority is to ensure a sustainable and long-term future for Almaza, and to maintain the Lebanese legacy, brand, and institution.”
Almaza will continue to brew great beers to the highest quality at the historical Dora brewery and production site, and will retain exclusive sales and distribution rights on the Heineken brands.
The existing local management team and local employees will remain in place, ensuring continuity and the usual high standards at the brewery. The company has appointed a new General Manager, Mr Naji Nacouzi, who has extensive local knowledge and experience having worked for Almaza between 2004 and 2010, followed by international senior management roles in Heineken companies in Algeria and Tunisia between 2011 and 2017.
About Brasserie Almaza
Established in 1933, Almaza is an iconic and leading Lebanese brand with the highest brand recognition. To this day, Brasserie Almaza has operated to the highest standards of safety and quality, and ensured the continued supply of leading beer brands such as Almaza, Almaza Light, Almaza Special Dark, REX, and the Laziza non-alcoholic range, as well as the distribution of the Heineken brands.
Further information is available online: https://www.almaza.com.lb/
About Philippe Jabre
Philippe Jabre is an international businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born in Beirut in 1960, he studied in Lebanon and the US before starting his career in finance, first in France and then continuing in the UK. In 2006, he launched his own independent wealth management firm Jabre Capital Partners in Geneva, Switzerland, and he remains the company’s CEO and Chief Investment Officer to this day.
Mr Jabre has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Concordia University in Montreal, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York.
A short timeline of Almaza’s history
- 1933: Brasserie founded in Beirut by Jabre, Comaty, and Angelopoulu. Initially called Brasserie Franco-Libano-Syrienne. The Jabre family were the main shareholders: Michel, Najib, and Assaad Jabre
- 1960: brewery established partnership with Amstel Beer
- 1968: Heineken Group acquires Amstel
- 1990: the brewery survives the Lebanese war under the Jabre owners who upgrade and restore the facilities.
- 2003: majority ownership passes to Heineken
- 2021, December 22nd: Philippe Jabre acquires majority ownership of Brasserie Almaza
- … the legacy continues!