Heineken announced it intends to acquire privately-owned Belgian cider producer Stassen Ciders from the current management. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed but the annual report of Stassen NV shows a 2011 revenue of approximately € 36m, an operating profit of approximately € 1.0m and a € 0.88m net profit. Stassen’s equity position at the end of last year was about € 7.9m. Heineken commented that the Stassen acquisition provides the company with attractive cider technology as well as additional production capacity in Continental Europe. Our view: Heineken is attempting to develop the cider category (which was originally mainly a UK business at S&N) in Continental Europe, and this acquisition adds additional cider technology. Nevertheless, we think Heineken will pay a few tens of millions of EUR maximum, meaning this should be a very small acquisition. No change to our BUY rating and € 50 target price.