American Icon and Beer Giant Sold
Reports are starting to trickle in, saying Anheuser-Busch has agreed to a 52 billion dollar buyout by InBev. After going back and forth for several weeks, the deal appears to be done now. With the purchase of America’s #1 brewer, the Belgium based company will become the largest beer maker in the world. The thought of Budweiser (”The Great American Lager”) being owned and operated by folks outside the USA, is something that doesn’t sit right with many folks, but the almighty dollar has spoken. Official announcement soon.
You are aware, aren’t you, that Budweiser has been brewed in Czechoslovakia since the 16th Century? It will be interesting to see how InBev deals with its Czech-mates.
The above poster is incorrect. I’m from St Louis and Budweiser IS brewed there, just not all of it.
It is explained here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_(Anheuser-Busch)
The buyout is sad news for St. Louis, which is already struggling.
I don’t drink budweiser. I hope this means more innovation from their company, trying new things.
I’m certainly no Budwiser fan. I’m one of those microbrew snobs. But there’s something to be said about another piece of Americana in the hands of another nation.
Just think, if Bud’s management didn’t balk at the offer initially, we’d be reading this news just before the 4th of July.
@Darlene:
I did not mean to say that ALL Budweiser is brewed in Czechoslovakia. It has certainly been brewed in the US since the mid 1800’s. It was, however, an established (and totally separate) brand in Czechoslovakia for over 200 years before it was first brewed in the US. It is STILL brewed in the Czech Republic. (Sorta the way Heineken is brewed in Texas)