JD Wetherspoon Plc (LSE:JDW) today announced a 20-year partnership with Budweiser Brewing Group, with the brewer to become the largest beer supplier in its 860 pubs in the UK and Ireland.
It ends a 41-year tie-up between the pub group and Dutch brewer Heineken, with customers to see the changes in the menu from 15 December.
The range from Budweiser, which is part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) range will now have greater prominence on draught and packaged formats across all its chains, said the FTSE 250 group.
Tim Martin, JD Wetherspoon 's chairman said, “Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I will now become our biggest supplier, with new beers Budweiser, Corona and Leffe Blonde, in addition to their existing products, Stella Artois and Bud Light.”
Additionally, draught ciders Strongbow and Strongbow Dark Fruits will be replaced by Stowford Press Apple and Stowford Press Mixed Berries.
John Smiths bitter is being replaced by Worthington's bitter while other Heineken brands such as Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel, and Birra Morretti will likely only be available in bottles.
Wetherspoons says the demand for the Budweiser Group’s drinks increased over the pandemic, with consumers supposedly opting for premium lager and world beer during the lockdowns.
AB InBev brands have a 25% a share of the beer market, the Statista website shows, more than double Heineken's presence.
Demand for its products is also reportedly higher than pre-COVID levels.
Wetherspoons added Budweiser has taken steps to increase its keg and trucking capacity to meet the expected volume required to supply the pub chain, a move that puts it “in a strong position to meet demand during the busy Christmas period.”
Shares in Wetherspoons were up 0.26% to £8.94.