World’s largest brewer officially created - Anheuser-Busch InBev
November 19, 2008

InBev announced this morning (ADST) that it has finalised the US$52b purchase of Anheuser-Busch, following approval from shareholders of both companies. The combination creates the global leader in beer and one of the world’s top five consumer products companies. The name of InBev will change to Anheuser-Busch InBev, with Anheuser-Busch becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev and will retain its current headquarters in St. Louis. The belgian-based brewer will now manage... ...Read more »

InBev one step closer to Anheuser-Busch acquisition
November 13, 2008

SABMiller is about to lose its title as the ‘world’s biggest brewing company’, with the deal between InBev and Anheuser-Busch now almost complete. Belgian brewer InBev announced overnight that a majority of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. shareholders have voted to approve the proposed combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch during a special shareholder meeting. InBev shareholders approved the combination on September 29. Upon close of the transaction, America’s largest brewer -... ...Read more »

InBev and Anheuser combine to create world’s largest brewer
July 14, 2008

InBev and Anheuser-Busch today announced an agreement to combine the two companies, forming the world’s largest global brewer. In order to seal the amicable deal, InBev had to increase their initial $65/share offer to $70 - valuing the US brewer at US$52 billion. The industry-transforming transaction between the second and third largest brewers occurs five weeks after the initial proposal by InBev. The relationship between the two companies threatened to become fractured with suits... ...Read more »

InBev bid gets hostile but Anheuser fights back
July 10, 2008

What was originally meant to be an amicable deal between the second and third largest brewers in the world has quickly degenerated into a hostile bid with lawsuits being filed by both parties. InBev, the Belgian giant, last month made an friendly but unsolicited bid of $US46b for Anheuser-Busch, which was dismissed by the Anheuser Board due to concerns it did not provide fair value for the US-based company. Since the Board made their opinion public InBev has filed a preliminary consent... ...Read more »

Consumer groups increase pressure on alcohol companies
July 4, 2008

Pressure has been mounting on caffeinated alcohol beverages as US consumer groups look to ban such products. With binge drinking a concern, it appears the focus has now spread from alcopops to caffeinated alcohol products. Anheuser-Busch has announced that they will remove the caffeine, guarana, and ginseng from their flavored malt beverages Tilt and Bud Extra. The move comes as part of agreements reached with the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which in February threatened... ...Read more »

InBev prepares hostile bid as Anheuser shareholders file lawsuits
July 4, 2008

InBev has announced that it is still committed to its proposal to create the world’s leading beer company through the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. The proposal, which was put to Anheuser last month, would create the world’s largest brewer, eclipsing SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch, famous for their ownership of Budweiser, rejected the offer last week as their Board considered that the valuation of $46 billion was too low. Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of InBev, remains steadfast in... ...Read more »

SABMiller and Molson Coors launch MillerCoors
July 1, 2008

SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company announced overnight that they have closed the transaction to combine their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations to create MillerCoors.MillerCoors, which will begin operating as a combined entity today, will be the second largest US brewer with the scale, resources and distribution platform to succeed in the highly competitive marketplace. “As a unified company with a world-class board and leadership team in place, MillerCoors will be able to create... ...Read more »

“Time of the essence” for Anheuser response to InBev
June 26, 2008

InBev have reaffirmed their interest in Anheuser-Busch via a letter prodding a response from the American company. The unsolicited takeover bid, which values Anheuser-Busch at US$46.3b, was made two weeks ago, but Anheuser-Busch has since remained coy about their possible response. It has been reported that members of the Busch family are divided about the potential takeover, while the company’s second largest shareholder, billionaire investor Warren Buffett, had been in support of... ...Read more »

Belgian Budweiser?
June 12, 2008

Consolidation in the beer industry has been a noticeable trend over the past decade but the potential takeover of Anheuser-Busch by InBev would certainly shake the sector up. If the deal goes ahead it would merge together the second and third largest brewers in the world, creating one of the five largest consumer products companies and the largest brewing corporation - eclipsing current leader SABMiller. The audacious offer by InBev, owner of the Beck’s, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden... ...Read more »

Significant beer deal brewing?
May 26, 2008

Rumours abound about a major takeover in the beer industry. InBev, the Belgian-based owner of the Beck’s, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden brands, is apparently considering a $46b bid for US brewer Anheuser-Busch. The takeover speculation, reported at the end of last week by the Financial Times, led Anheuser-Busch to a 52 week high on the New York Stock Exchange. Anheuser-Busch, which manages the Budweiser brand, is expected to try and stave-off any unsolicited bids from InBev, but the... ...Read more »