Anheuser-Busch, with a smoke and a pancake

[Boy'nBlack]

Originally Posted by AP

ST. LOUIS (AP) — 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.

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 Associated Press: Anheuser-Busch reportedly agrees to InBev sale

[Zambini]

Hey, maybe it'll taste good now ;)

[Reloadron]

Stella Artois is a beer I really enjoy! Yeah, maybe Bud will taste good now.

Ron

[drew and not u]

I bet a lot of folks will take issue with the overseas ownership. Many Budweiser drinkers are the "made in America" type. Personally I could give a crap, but I wouldn't be surprised to see their stocks take a small dip as a result. Maybe I'm way off...

[alyssastep]

Originally Posted by drew and not u

I bet a lot of folks will take issue with the overseas ownership. Many Budweiser drinkers are the "made in America" type. Personally I could give a crap, but I wouldn't be surprised to see their stocks take a small dip as a result. Maybe I'm way off...

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read it. I feel like even their ads take on an American pride persona, so it seems a bit weird to have them produce it overseas. I don't think their stocks will see any significant change; people who drink beer won't give it up or change their favorite brew because it's not made in the U.S. Well, maybe if it were being made somewhere skanky like all of our clothes are... The fact that they plan to keep open all the American breweries as well helps too.

Too bad I'm skipping economics class today, otherwise I would definitely bring this up..me and my professor love talking about the economics of beer!

[Hitman]

Hey I am all about made in America, if you make good products. Why would I drink a beer that taste like crap over a beer I enjoy to say I am an American and I only drink American beer. Drew is right, most "Bud" drinkers are typical "Made in America" types.

[screwballl]

I doubt they will start making it overseas and import it... I suspect the Made in America will still stand as it always has... it just means that the ownership on the corporate level will be done overseas. Everything else will stay as it always has, I doubt there will be any formula changes...

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by drew and not u

I bet a lot of folks will take issue with the overseas ownership. Many Budweiser drinkers are the "made in America" type. Personally I could give a crap, but I wouldn't be surprised to see their stocks take a small dip as a result. Maybe I'm way off...

Actually when this began Anhauser was trading at about $61.21 and as of now it's trading at about $66.87.

Screwball:

I doubt they will start making it overseas and import it... I suspect the Made in America will still stand as it always has... it just means that the ownership on the corporate level will be done overseas. Everything else will stay as it always has, I doubt there will be any formula changes...

That is the plan, including leaving all US breweries in tack and corporate in St. Louis. The question is how much of the US brewed beer they plan to export and InBev is keeping real quiet about that, there is a 4% estimate but...

Personally I think I outgrew Budweiser the first time I was abroad and enjoyed good to great beer.

Hell I have never owned a foreign brand car or truck but when it comes to beer I have no problem crossing lines.

Ron

[screwballl]

its becoming such a global market anymore that not even american cars or beers are purely american anymore... how much of the hops and barley and other stuff they use is actually grown or made in the US? Are they buying cheaper Chinese Barley?
I know anymore most American vehicles from the big 3 are only 65-85% US made parts... Even certain Hyundai and Nissan models are 90-95% US manufactured parts.

[Boy'nBlack]

American Beer drinking isn't my big concern, it's those paying money for it and it now lands in Belgium.

Busch is too big for them to go messing with their recipes. It's America's largest vendor of brews, and you want that to continue when you buy such a company. So no, the beer itself isn't changing.

Screwball...how many American Toyotas on the road are American made? On those models you mention, the parts haven't been American in a long while. It's the electronics that we never grew strong in making, and that's the majority of the parts in a car. And even hard parts are in a sense foreign owned at least. The Allison transmission, is owned by Rolls Royce yet made here and resources all stemming from here. Just like the cars talked about. There's more in our plants staying open and running this side of the pond than fairly inexpensive parts.

And there's more in keeping Busch open and pumping out trailor water than just closing it's doors in these hard times. Like the stuff or not, they sure to "juice" our economy. I blame NASCAR and thier decision to kill the Busch League...that's their target audience.

I like Busch light for exactly the laid back country stuff. I don't want hammered while fishing or welding up something in the garage, and when it's hot...that watery stuff just feels better downing than a better tasting import. When I kick back with friends and can enjoy a beer, then sure...get the better ones.