Red Stripe is currently owned by Heineken, a Dutch brewing company. In 2015, Heineken acquired a controlling stake in Red Stripe from the Jamaican company, Diageo. This acquisition allowed Heineken to expand its presence in the Caribbean market and strengthen its portfolio of beer brands.
However, it is important to note that Red Stripe has a rich history and has gone through various ownership changes over the years. The brand was originally founded by the Jamaican company Desnoes & Geddes in 1928. Paul H. Geddes and Bill Martindale, two entrepreneurs, developed the recipe for Red Stripe and introduced it to the Jamaican market.
For several decades, Red Stripe remained under the ownership of Desnoes & Geddes, which grew the brand’s popularity both locally and internationally. In the early 1990s, the company entered into a distribution agreement with Guinness Brewing Worldwide, which helped expand Red Stripe’s reach beyond Jamaica.
In 1993, Desnoes & Geddes entered into a joint venture with Guinness Brewing Worldwide, forming the company known as Desnoes & Geddes Limited. This joint venture allowed Red Stripe to benefit from Guinness’s global distribution network and marketing expertise.
Over time, ownership of Desnoes & Geddes Limited changed hands. In 1997, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form the multinational alcoholic beverages company, Diageo. As a result, Diageo became the majority owner of Red Stripe and Desnoes & Geddes Limited.
In 2015, Heineken saw an opportunity to strengthen its position in the Caribbean market and struck a deal with Diageo to acquire a controlling stake in Red Stripe. Heineken’s acquisition included the Jamaican brewery and the global rights to the Red Stripe brand.
Since then, Heineken has continued to invest in Red Stripe, expanding its production capacity and distribution reach. The brand remains a popular choice among beer enthusiasts, both in Jamaica and around the world.
Red Stripe is currently owned by Heineken, but its journey to this ownership has involved various changes over the years. From its humble beginnings under the ownership of Desnoes & Geddes to the joint venture with Guinness and subsequent acquisition by Diageo, Red Stripe’s ownership history reflects the dynamic nature of the brewing industry.