From AB InBev Spoelberch Family: Global Pillar of the Brewing Industry

Spoelberch family

As a figurehead of the brewing market, AB InBev promotes Belgian know-how around the world with its iconic brands such as Stella Artois and Jupiler. Carried on by three noble Belgian lineages - de Spoelberch, by Mevius and Van Damme - control of this multinational is exercised through Luxembourg holding companies. This family trident was once unrelated to Stella Artois, a brand launched as a Christmas beer in 1926. The de Spoelberch family has an estimated fortune of over 8.2 billion euros.

Throughout the 20th century, strategic marriages within the nobility consolidated the governance of brewing companies in Belgium. The Van Damme family, through a merger between two brewing giants - Piedboeuf and Artois - forged Interbrew, the premise of today's beer giant. This crucial step led to the merger with Hoegaarden and Bell-Vue, expanding their footprint in the Belgian beer market.

AB InBev Expansion Trajectory

The aspiration to dominate was not confined to Belgium's borders. Since then, Interbrew has set its sights on Eastern Europe, Asia and even North America, notably by absorbing the Canadian brewery Labatt. This acquisition propelled the company onto the global beer scene. In 2004, Interbrew joined forces with Brazil's AmBev to form InBev, a name synonymous with ambition and brewing hegemony.

Acquisition attempts continue, with a bold bid for Anheuser-Bush in 2008, establishing InBev as the undisputed world leader. The union with SAB Miller in 2016 embodies the pinnacle of this quest for expansion, raising the question of what's next for AB InBev.

Shareholder dynamics

Over and above these commercial successes, the stability of our shareholder base lies in the continuity of the Spoelberch founding families, by Mevius and Van Damme. The de Spoelberch family, thanks to judicious matrimonial alliances and efficient management of their holdings throughout the holding company Agemaris a key player in this brewing dynasty, and with a fortune of more than 8 billion euros.

Going public in 2004 marked a strategic turning point, catapulting AB InBev's value and enriching its majority shareholders. Alexandre Van Damme is distinguished by its discretion and its significant position among individual shareholders. However, events such as the impact of the health crisis in 2020 have reshuffled the cards, eroding the Group's position as a leader in the market. AB InBev's stock market supremacy and substantially affecting the fortunes of shareholder families.

The financial clout of Belgian families in the global brewing arena testifies to their influence and ability to overcome economic turbulence to maintain their position in a competitive and constantly evolving market. Visit The de Spoelberch family is one of the richest in Europe and Belgium, with over 8 billion in personal fortunes. Many of them come from different heirs and branches, such as Gabrielle de Spoelberch, who has married to Prince Henri d'Arenberg.