Heineken, one of the world's top three brewers, which owns the Murphys brewery in Cork, unveiled a 20 per cent rise in full-year earnings yesterday, reflecting hefty gains in the US and Spain for its flagship brand.

Mr Karel Vuursteen, Heineken chairman, said it was "possible" it would be interested in Bass Breweries, the UK business that Interbrew has been ordered to sell. Net profit increased to £621 million sterling (#973 million) on sales up 13 per cent to £8.1 billion, driven by acquisitions, higher prices, a better sales mix and dollar currency movements. Organic growth showed a modest 2 per cent gain. The company said it expected net profit to continue to rise in 2001.

Sales of the Heineken brand outpaced a 2.5 per cent increase in the global beer market, rising 5.9 per cent. Spain, its biggest market, posted a 28 per cent improvement, and the US, where it intends hunting acquisitions, 15 per cent.