Mahou-San Miguel Group
Spanish brewing group whose portfolio includes Mahou, San Miguel, Alhambra, Founders and Avery beer brands.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Mahou-San Miguel Group is a privately held Spanish brewing group headquartered in Madrid and best known for the Mahou and San Miguel beer brands. Its origins date to 1890, when Enrique, Luis and Carolina Mahou established Hijos de Casimiro Mahou, fábrica de hielo y cerveza in Madrid. The business began brewing Mahou beer at its Amaniel Street brewery in 1891, laying the foundation for one of Spain's most recognizable beer operations. The group developed through two related but historically separate brewing stories. Mahou expanded its production capacity and brand portfolio in Spain, while San Miguel originated from a 1953 agreement that granted Spanish branding rights for San Miguel to the company La Segarra. The Spanish brewery adopted the San Miguel name in 1957 and produced its first San Miguel Especial at its Lleida brewery. In the same year, the Mahou company became Mahou, S.A. The two businesses subsequently built national distribution and production networks, with San Miguel opening a second brewery in Málaga in 1966 and Mahou developing a larger brewery at Alovera in Guadalajara province during the early 1990s. Mahou introduced new formats and broadened its marketing presence as Spain's beer market modernized. It ran its first television advertisement in 1984 and developed products spanning mainstream lager, alcohol-free beer, dark beer, shandy and flavored non-alcoholic variants. The group also incorporated Alhambra brands, including Alhambra Especial and Reserva 1925, into its portfolio. The alcohol-free segment became a recurring area of innovation through products such as Mahou Sin and San Miguel 0,0. Ownership changed significantly in the late twentieth century. Danone acquired a minority interest in Mahou and later began acquiring San Miguel. In 2000, Mahou purchased the remaining 70 percent of San Miguel that Danone held, combining it with its existing 30 percent interest. This transaction created a wholly Spanish-owned brewing group and led to the name Grupo Mahou-San Miguel. The company simplified its name to Mahou San Miguel in 2014. Since the combination, the group has pursued international development and portfolio diversification. In 2014 it acquired all of Indian company Arian Breweries & Distilleries and agreed with the Philippine San Miguel Corporation to cooperate on the international development and global consistency of the San Miguel brand. It also invested in independent American craft breweries: a 30 percent stake in Founders Brewing in 2014, a 30 percent stake in Avery Brewing Company in 2017, an increase of the Avery holding to 70 percent in 2019, and an increase in Founders ownership to 90 percent in 2019. The remaining Founders shares were retained equally by founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers. Today, Mahou San Miguel is primarily associated with beer production, brand management, hospitality and distribution, with Spain as its core market and an international presence supported by exports, overseas investments and globally recognized labels. Its portfolio combines established Spanish lagers, specialty and premium products, alcohol-free offerings, flavored beer-based drinks and craft-beer holdings in the United States.
History
Mahou-San Miguel traces its history to Madrid in 1890, when Enrique, Luis and Carolina Mahou founded Hijos de Casimiro Mahou, fábrica de hielo y cerveza. The company was established by the children of Casimiro Mahou, a French entrepreneur from Lorraine, and used the family name that later became the Mahou beer brand. Brewing began in 1891 at the Amaniel Street brewery in Madrid. The Mahou business became involved in the development of Spain's brewing industry. Casimiro Mahou García participated in the creation of the Association of Beer Producers in 1922 and served as its chairman. After his death in 1943, leadership passed to his son Alfredo Mahou de la Fuente. The company later expanded its production infrastructure, eventually moving beyond the original Amaniel site. Mahou started work on its Paseo Imperial brewery in 1961, and the new facility produced its first beer in the following period. The Amaniel brewery was subsequently closed. San Miguel's Spanish history began separately. In 1953, the shareholders of La Segarra signed an agreement known as the Manila Agreement with Andrés Soriano, chairman of the Philippine San Miguel Corporation. The arrangement granted Spanish rights to use the San Miguel brand, but the resulting Spanish brewery remained independent from the Philippine parent. La Segarra changed its name to San Miguel, Fábricas de Cerveza y Malta, S.A. in 1957 and brewed the first San Miguel Especial at its Lleida facility. Mahou also became Mahou, S.A. that year. San Miguel expanded with a second brewery in Málaga in 1966, while exports began in 1962. Mahou continued to develop its own national production and distribution capabilities. In 1979, Germán Gervás Diez became chairman of Mahou. Danone later acquired a one-third interest in Mahou, while San Miguel also came under Danone's ownership during the 1990s. Mahou entered television advertising in 1984 and began construction of its Alovera brewery in Guadalajara province in 1990. The decisive corporate turning point came in 2000. Mahou acquired the 70 percent of San Miguel owned by Danone and combined it with a 30 percent interest it already held. The acquisition brought the two businesses together as a wholly Spanish-owned brewing group. Following the transaction, San Miguel, Fábricas de Cerveza y Malta, S.A. was acquired by Mahou, S.A., and the combined organization became Grupo Mahou-San Miguel. The combined group broadened its product architecture. Mahou's range included traditional and premium lagers, while San Miguel developed products such as San Miguel 0,0, San Miguel 1516, San Miguel ECO and flavored alcohol-free variants. Alhambra products, including Alhambra Especial, Reserva 1925, Mezquita, Premium Lager, Negra and Sin, also became part of the group's beer offering. The portfolio extended beyond conventional lager into dark beer, shandy, alcohol-free beer and other specialty formats. International expansion became more pronounced after 2014. The group adopted the shorter Mahou San Miguel name, acquired all of Indian Arian Breweries & Distilleries and established a cooperation framework with the Philippine San Miguel Corporation to coordinate the international growth of the San Miguel brand. In the United States, it invested in craft brewing through a 30 percent stake in Founders Brewing in 2014 and a 30 percent stake in Avery Brewing Company in 2017. Mahou raised its Avery stake to 70 percent in 2019 and increased its Founders holding to 90 percent in the same year. The founders of Founders, Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, retained the balance equally. The resulting group combines a long-established Spanish brewing base with national brands, specialty products, international distribution and ownership interests in American craft breweries. Spain remains its central market, while its overseas investments and export activity provide a broader international platform.
- 2019
Craft-brewery stakes increased
[1]The group raised its Avery ownership to 70 percent and its Founders Brewing ownership to 90 percent.
- 2017
Investment in Avery Brewing Company
[1]Mahou San Miguel acquired an initial minority stake in Avery Brewing Company.
- 2014
Name simplified and international expansion accelerated
[1]The group adopted the Mahou San Miguel name, acquired Arian Breweries & Distilleries and invested in Founders Brewing.
- 2000
Mahou and San Miguel combine
[1]Mahou acquired Danone's remaining San Miguel stake and formed Grupo Mahou-San Miguel.
- 1990
Alovera brewery construction begins
[1]Mahou began work on a new brewery in Alovera, Guadalajara province.
- 1984
Mahou enters television advertising
[1]Mahou broadcast its first television advertisement.
- 1966
San Miguel opens Málaga brewery
[1]San Miguel expanded its production network with a second brewery in Málaga.
- 1962
San Miguel starts exporting
[1]San Miguel began exporting beer beyond Spain.
- 1957
San Miguel Spain begins production
[1]The Spanish company adopted the San Miguel name and produced its first San Miguel Especial at its Lleida brewery.
- 1953
Manila Agreement creates Spanish San Miguel rights
[1]La Segarra reached an agreement with the Philippine San Miguel Corporation concerning Spanish rights to the San Miguel brand.
Products and positioning
A leading Spanish beer group balancing mass-market national brands such as Mahou and San Miguel with premium, specialty, alcohol-free and craft-beer offerings.
Lager beer · 1890
Mahou Clásica
A historic Mahou lager associated with the company's early product tradition and Spanish brewing heritage. It represents the classic end of the Mahou portfolio rather than the group's later premium or specialty extensions.
Lager beer · 1957
San Miguel Especial
The signature Spanish San Miguel lager first produced at the company's Lleida brewery in 1957. It became the central international expression of the San Miguel brand and remains one of Mahou San Miguel's principal mainstream offerings.
Premium lager · 1969
Mahou Cinco Estrellas
A Mahou premium lager introduced as part of the brand's development beyond its original classic beer range. Cinco Estrellas is positioned as one of the group's prominent Mahou-branded beers in the Spanish market.
Alcohol-free beer · 1990
Mahou Sin
Mahou's alcohol-free beer line, originally introduced under the Laiker name and later renamed Mahou Sin. It reflects the group's long-running effort to serve consumers seeking a beer-style drink without alcohol.
Alcohol-free beer · 2001
San Miguel 0,0
San Miguel's alcohol-free beer platform, launched as part of the group's expansion into low- and no-alcohol products. The range was later extended with flavored variants, including an apple expression and a lemon-tea version.
Dark beer · 2003
Mahou Negra
A darker Mahou beer introduced alongside other specialty products in the early 2000s. It broadens the portfolio beyond pale lager and addresses demand for fuller, darker beer styles.
Specialty beer · 2003
San Miguel 1516
A San Miguel specialty beer introduced in 2003 as part of the brand's move into differentiated products beyond its core lager. The name and positioning connect the beer with the brewing tradition associated with the San Miguel portfolio.
Shandy and flavored beer drink · 2005
Mixta
A Mahou San Miguel shandy-style product launched in 2005. Mixta extends the group into lighter, flavored and mixed beer-based refreshments rather than conventional lager alone.
Premium specialty beer
Alhambra Reserva 1925
A premium Alhambra beer included among the group's specialty offerings. It sits alongside Alhambra Especial, Alhambra Premium Lager, Alhambra Negra and Alhambra Sin within the broader Alhambra portfolio.
Craft beer
Founders Brewing beers
The Founders Brewing portfolio gives Mahou San Miguel exposure to American craft beer, including beers such as All Day IPA and Breakfast Stout. Mahou became the majority owner while the brewery's founders retained a minority interest.
Craft beer
Avery Brewing beers
Avery Brewing's portfolio adds American craft and specialty beers to the group. The brewery is known for products including White Rascal Belgian-Style White Ale and became majority-owned by Mahou San Miguel in 2019.
Brand decisions
2019
Increase ownership of Avery Brewing CompanyM&ABackground
Following its initial minority investment, Mahou San Miguel increased its participation in Avery Brewing.
Action taken
The group raised its Avery stake from 30 percent to 70 percent.
Aftermath
Avery became majority-owned by Mahou San Miguel while continuing to operate as a craft-brewing business in the United States.
2019
Increase ownership of Founders BrewingM&ABackground
Mahou San Miguel expanded its original 30 percent investment in Founders Brewing.
Action taken
The group increased its ownership to 90 percent, with the remaining 10 percent divided equally between founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers.
Aftermath
Founders became majority-controlled by Mahou San Miguel while its founders retained a continuing minority interest.
2017
Invest in Avery Brewing CompanyM&ABackground
Mahou San Miguel continued diversifying into American craft brewing after its Founders investment.
Action taken
The group acquired a 30 percent stake in Avery Brewing Company of Boulder, Colorado.
Aftermath
Avery became part of the group's growing craft-brewing investment portfolio and later moved to majority ownership.
2014
Acquire Arian Breweries & DistilleriesM&ABackground
Mahou San Miguel sought to expand its international platform beyond its Spanish base.
Action taken
The group acquired 100 percent of Indian company Arian Breweries & Distilleries.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened the group's direct presence in India and complemented its export-led international activity.
2014
Coordinate global development of San MiguelStrategyBackground
The Spanish San Miguel business had historical links to the Philippine San Miguel Corporation through the 1953 Manila Agreement, but the two companies were separate.
Action taken
Mahou San Miguel and San Miguel Corporation agreed to cooperate on unifying and expanding the San Miguel beer brand's international footprint.
Aftermath
The agreement created a framework for closer international brand development while leaving the companies as distinct corporate entities.
2014
Invest in Founders BrewingM&ABackground
The group expanded into the United States craft-beer segment as part of its international portfolio strategy.
Action taken
Mahou San Miguel acquired a 30 percent stake in Founders Brewing.
Aftermath
The investment established a strategic relationship with a major American craft brewer and preceded a later increase in ownership.
2000
Combine Mahou and San MiguelM&ABackground
Danone held the majority of San Miguel while Mahou already owned a minority position. The transaction provided a route to consolidate the two Spanish brewing businesses.
Action taken
Mahou acquired Danone's 70 percent San Miguel holding and combined it with its existing 30 percent stake, creating Grupo Mahou-San Miguel.
Aftermath
The transaction created a wholly Spanish-owned brewing group and unified the Mahou and San Miguel operations under one corporate organization.
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