Acquisition: The Rutten family has sold its shareholding in Gulpener Brewery to Grolsch

Jan-Paul Rutten, owner and managing director of Gulpener: “Boels Zanders guided us through the sale of our family business. Madelène and Daan handled the process in a highly professional and enjoyable manner. Our expectations were high, and they certainly lived up to them.”

Gulpener Brewery

Founded in 1825, Gulpener Brewery is an independent family-owned brewery based in Gulpen, Limburg. Until this transaction, it had remained in the hands of the Rutten family for eight generations. The brewery is renowned for its strong commitment to sustainability and works exclusively with local farmers for the cultivation of barley and hops. Through its “from grain to glass” philosophy, Gulpener promotes a short, transparent and locally rooted supply chain. The brewery is also recognised as a pioneer in sustainable brewing and operates one of the most sustainable brewhouses in Europe. In doing so, Gulpener plays an important role in preserving and strengthening Dutch beer culture.

Grolsch

Founded in 1615 in Groenlo, Grolsch is one of the oldest breweries in the Netherlands. The company was led by the De Groen family for more than a century and grew into one of the country’s best-known beer producers. Today, Grolsch employs nearly 800 people and its beers are sold in approximately 60 countries worldwide. The brewery is internationally recognised for its iconic swing-top bottle and its long-standing slogan, “Craftsmanship is Mastery”, which remains closely associated with the brand today.