After holding firm back in June and turning down a buyout offer, Anheuser-Busch surrendered over the weekend and allowed European brewer InBev to buy them for approximately $52 billion. America's largest beer maker is no longer in American hands, a move that leaves some beer drinkers a bit concerned for their favorite brew (maybe this will convince more people to switch to locally produced small batch brewers. What?! A girl can dream).The new company will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the terms brokered in the buyout deal. August A. Busch IV, the company's CEO (and descent of one of the brewery's founders) will be given a seat on the board. According to a press release issued by both companies, no US breweries will be closing because of the merger.
[via NYT]









Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-14-2008 @ 5:47PM
Robert said...
So the "Great American Lager" (didn't know that was their slogan, but I guess they'll have to change it now) is now not so American.
I wish I could say I'm going to boycott them, but I haven't bought a Bud in at least three years so that wouldn't really accomplish much. If I was a customer I'd be upset. But since I'm not... well, I'm excited that there's now an opening in the "Great American Lager" category. If lagers weren't such a bitch to brew independently I'd try to take up that mantle. Otherwise, I'll just drink Scotch.
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7-14-2008 @ 9:19PM
Red Icculus said...
Bud is the hamster piss of non-discerning drinkers. Their use of corn and rice in their beer is why American beer has such a bad name. Maybe InBev can clean up their image.
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7-14-2008 @ 10:11PM
Alex Falk said...
American business gone.
European taste, here?
I hope that they can make a decent beer out of the pisswater that is bud.
It isn't even good for getting drunk, if that's your thing, takes at least a 12 pack to get me buzzing.
Arrogant Bastard, or Ruination Pale Ale for me, thank you very much.
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7-15-2008 @ 12:09AM
Ten-High Charlie said...
So, dose this mean it'll taste better?
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7-15-2008 @ 3:42AM
Skip said...
DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE???
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7-15-2008 @ 6:17AM
Mike Licht said...
The Belgians are coming! The Belgians are coming! Hide the Clydesdales!
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-belgians-are-coming-the-belgians-are-coming/
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7-15-2008 @ 12:38PM
Clare said...
It's not just Bud and Bud light that's going to be taken over- it's stella, and hoegarden and bacardi and natty and hurricane and every other product they make. And those products, particularly the great American Lager should stay American.
Join the campaign at the point
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7-15-2008 @ 1:18PM
Robert said...
I am a local small business owner here in Saint Louis (former home of Anheuser Busch).
I am fed up with all the jobs getting outsourced overseas, and foreign companies buying us up. If it wasn't for the low current value of the dollar InBev wouldn't have been able to even get the financing.
I just signed up at http://www.boycottab.net
I'd rather buy from a locally owned and operated business then help support foreign owned companies.
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7-15-2008 @ 1:22PM
Robert said...
It's really sad to lose such an iconic and historical American company to a foreign investor. I think it's time we really starting focusing on keeping American jobs and American companies here in the United States.
I'm a small business owner here in Saint Louis, and the economy nationally is hurting everyone - not this is definitely going to hurt at home. They have a website going I signed up at - http://www.boycottAB.com .. check it out!
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7-15-2008 @ 3:24PM
Dee said...
I'm not a beer drinker, but I am a St. Louisan and this morning's headline in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ("Farewell To The King") made me a little sad.
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7-16-2008 @ 12:15AM
Heather said...
Like those before me, I hate almost all the beers mentioned and at the same time I think its a loss. What will all the NASCAR fans do?! Switch to a beer that tastes like *gasp* beer?!
I'd boycott but I never drink that watered down crap.
At the same time, it might be nice to see some new beers
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7-18-2008 @ 2:43PM
Grammar freak said...
Rest comfortably knowing that now Sam Adams/BBC will be the biggest american beer co.
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