About

Although its roots go back to the late nineteenth century, Spanish brewer Grupo Mahou-San Miguel – producer of the best-selling beer in the Spanish market – has existed in its present form since 2000 following Mahou’s acquisition of the San Miguel brand. As the largest beer producer on the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the leading European producers, Grupo Mahou-San Miguel faces all of the legal issues typically affecting a multinational fast-moving consumer goods company. Overseeing matters is a small legal team led by Beatriz Martinez-Falero. The team won praise from a wide range of nominators and was characterised by one as ‘a highly effective, highly-skilled unit of the business led by an extremely well-respected and talented general counsel who has consistently driven the highest standards’. In spite of Grupo Mahou-San Miguel’s success, the market for beer is changing rapidly. In particular, a growing focus on specialty beers and a search for products that will be attractive to wealthy people, particularly in emerging markets, is characterising the industry. In 2014, Grupo Mahou-San Miguel signalled its intention to compete in this part of the market by acquiring the Indian company Arian Breweries & Distilleries – giving it a presence in the Asian market – and taking a stake in Michigan-based Founders Brewing Co, maker of popular craft beers such as All Day IPA. The legal team’s role in overseeing these transactions underlines its strength as a driver of business.