2000 October
Molson restructured its United States business through a buyback from Miller Brewing Company and Foster's Brewing Group. It subsequently entered into a partnership agreement with Coors Brewing Company to ensure the marketing and sale of Molson brands in the American market. Molson became major shareholder of the partnership with a 50.1% thereby ensuring ownership of its brands in the United States.
2000 December
Molson. entered the South American market by acquiring Bavaria, a leading beer brand in Brazil, formerly owned by Companhia de Bebidas das Américas (AmBev). January - Molson Inc. sold the Montreal Canadians to Mr Georges N. Gillett Jr. Molson Inc. retained a 19. 9% share in the hockey team.
2001 June
Molson introduces a third malterntive product: "Sangrila".
2001 August
Through a $ 2.5 million contribution, Molson became a major founding partner of the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Bid Committee. The Committee was created to attract the Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Games to Vancouver Whistler in 2010.
2002 February
With the acquisition of Kaiser, the second leading brewer in Brazil, Molson becomes the 13th largest brewing company in the world. Molson subsequently merged Bavaria, its existing operation in Brazil, with Kaiser and entered into a partnership with Heineken which acquired 20% of the newly formed entity. Concurrent with the partnership agreement, Molson negotiated a 10-year extension of its distribution for Heineken products in Canada, as well as the extension of the licensing contract of the Heineken brand in Brazil. As sponsor of the Canadian Hockey Association, Molson unveiled the Molson Million for Gold initiative destined to inspire Team Canada members in their quest for gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Following the "gold medal"victories of the both national hockey teams Molson donated $500 000 to each of the women and men hockey teams.
2002 June
Molson introduces Molson Smooth Dry across the Quebec market and a fourth malternative"Long Island Iced Tea".
2002 August
First edition of the Montreal Molson Indy is held on Gilles Villeneuve track.
2003 March
On the first anniversary of its acquisition of Brazil's second largest brewery, Molson is marking yet another first with the launch of A Marca Bavaria in Canada. Capitalizing on the value of its premium Brazilian assets, Marca Bavaria gives Molson the unique opportunity to take advantage of the expanding super premium category with a fully owned brand.
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