The latest on the De Koninck situation via the Reuters news agency: Heineken has not yet bought the Antwerp brewery. De Koninck used to produce 140,000 hectolitres of beer a year but is currently running at half that figure. The company blames falling beer sales in western Europe.
Managing director Bernard Van de Bogaert said: "We are looking for a strategic partner." He admitted that he has held talks with both Heineken and the major Belgian independent brewer, Duvel Moortgat.
Clearly, for beer lovers, a link-up with Duvel Moortgat would be preferable to that arch closer of breweries, Heineken.