It might not be apple pie, but for some loyal swillers, Budweiser beer is just as significant an American institution. The Weekend
Wall Street Journal is reporting, though, that the red-and-white-aluminum emblem may be on the radar of Leuven, Belgium-based InBev NV. According to the report, InBev is considering an unsolicited bid for 150-year-old Anheuser-Busch, which in addition to Budweiser owns the Michelob, Busch and Bass brands. The deal would combine the world's second- and third-largest brewers by volume, behind SABMiller Co.
Like other American brewers, Anheuser-Busch is reeling from a one-two punch of soaring commodity prices and a weak U.S. dollar, which make it an attractive target, particularly for a foreign rival. Should InBev, best known for its Stella Artois and Beck's brands, pursue a bid, the cross-border deal would be complicated to execute, and should it close, integration would be equally difficult. Still, as we reported in
Corporate Dealmaker, InBev is a savvy acquirer that has proven it can manage complex strategic initiatives. - Suzanne Stevens
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