Budweiser Brand, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Sold to InBev

A King's Ransom

July 13, 2008 - Anheuser-Busch Cos., including its Budweiser brand, have agreed to be purchased by InBev, a Belgian Company. InBev is purchasing Budwesiers the Anheuser-Busch Cos. and all of its brands for $52 billion, according to a joint press release by Anheuser-Busch Cos. and InBev. The King of Beers will now be owned by a foreign company, InBev.

InBev's acquisition of the Budweiser brand and Anheuser-Busch Cos. will create the "world's largest brewer" according to the New York Times.

A King's Ransom

Shareholders of Anheuser-Busch Cos. stock will each receive $70 cash for each share held, according to the joint press release. Previously, InBev was offering an unaccepted $65 per share. The new company will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev.

The U.S. headquarters for the new Anheuser-Busch InBev company will be in St. Louis, Missouri.

America's King of Beer No Longer Domestic

MillerCoors

The purchase of the Budweiser brand and Anheuser-Busch Cos., by InBev is one more domestic beer moving off the American shelf. This family owned and operated business is now going to fall into foreign hands.

Molson Coors Brewing and SABMiller recently created MillerCoors on July 1, 2008, according to SABMIller and Molson Coors. Previously, SAB, the South African Beweries, purchased Miller Brewing in 1999. Moslon of Canada purchased Coors in 2005. Now, SAB has purchased Molson Coors.

The new MillerCoors formally began "operating as a combined entity on July 1, 2008," according to SAB Miller.

Slowly there are becoming fewer brewers, and fewer companies making and selling beer.

InBev Brands

InBev will now own familiar brands owned by Anheuser-Busch Cos., including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Bass Pale Ale, Grolsch, Rolling Rock, Redbridge and Bacardi and all variations including Budweiser Chelada, Bud Light Lime and Michelob Ultra. (Anheuser-Busch Cos)

Current InBev Brands of beer include Beck's beer, Stella Artois Belgian beer, Brahma beer (Brazil), Hoegaarden Belgian white beer, and Leffe.

American Breweries to Remain Open