Anheuser-Busch Agrees to Takeover

July 1, 2008
ST. LOUIS and BRUSSELS, Belgium Anheuser-Busch Cos. has agreed to a $52 billion takeover bid from Inbev SA, a Belgian brewer. If approved, Anheuser-Busch

ST. LOUIS and BRUSSELS, Belgium— Anheuser-Busch Cos. has agreed to a $52 billion takeover bid from Inbev SA, a Belgian brewer.

If approved, Anheuser-Busch InBev would be the largest brewer in the world, according to an Associated Press report.

InBev is the world's second-largest beer-maker behind SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch is the largest brewer in the U.S.

Carlos Brito, CEO of InBev, would be CEO of the combined company. Shareholders will receive $70 a share, a $5 increase over the offer Anheuser-Busch rejected in June.

"This combination will create a stronger, more competitive global company with an unrivaled worldwide brand portfolio and distribution network, with great potential for growth all over the world," said Brito in a press release.

InBev plans to use St. Louis as its North American headquarters. It also said it will keep all 12 of Anheuser-Busch's North American breweries open.