ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch agreed to be acquired by Belgian brewer InBev for about $52 billion in a deal that would shift ownership of the nation’s largest brewer overseas, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
The deal, which is subject to shareholders’ and regulators’ approval, would create the world’s largest brewer and create the fourth-largest consumer product company worldwide. The newspaper cited anonymous sources who said Anheuser-Busch-InBev would be the new company’s name and Anheuser would have two seats on the board.
The newspaper said the deal was for $70 a share, a $5 increase over the offer Anheuser-Busch rejected in June.
InBev, the maker of Stella Artois and Becks, is the world’s second-largest beer-maker behind SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch is by far the largest brewer in the U.S. with more than 48 percent of the market share.
It wasn’t immediately clear how long approval might take from regulators and shareholders. Several Missouri politicians have expressed concerns about the merger — especially how it would affect the approximate 6,000 people employed by Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis.
InBev has said it plans to use St. Louis as its North American headquarters, and that it will keep open all 12 of Anheuser-Busch’s North American breweries.
The merger, if completed, will bring to an end one of the most iconic names in American business, and a name synonymous with St. Louis. From college buildings to offices to the stadium where the Cardinals play, the Busch name is virtually everywhere in the Gateway City.
Eberhard Anheuser acquired the Bavarian brewery in 1860 and renamed it E. Anheuser &Co. His son-in-law, Adolphus Busch, joined the company in 1864 and it was eventually renamed Anheuser-Busch.
The company survived Prohibition by selling products ranging from ice cream to root beer.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
