International brewer Kirin, through its Lion Little World Beverages subsidiary, announced its purchase of Colorado craft beer pioneer New Belgium Brewing Company. The sale is set to close before 2019’s end for an undisclosed sum. In a letter published on the brewery’s website, Co-founder Kim Jordan said, “More than 300 employees are receiving over $100,000 of retirement money,” she wrote. “Little World is committed to strategies to broadly share the wealth going forward.” While New Belgium’s ownership structure has fundamentally changed, Jordan says that the company will retain its B Corporation status, meaning that Kirin and Lion Little World are committed to maintaining the environmental and social standards set by New Belgium. New Belgium Brewing Company is the fourth-largest craft brewer in the U.S., according to the Brewers Association.