Corrina_Sullivan's Blog

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- InBev SA formed the world's largest brewer Tuesday when it completed its $52 billion (euro41 billion) takeover of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. The new company, named Anheuser-Busch InBev, will be headed by InBev CEO Carlos Brito and will be headquartered at Leuven, Belgium.

InBev promises to keep Anheuser-Busch's St. Louis base as the company's North American headquarters but the takeover ends 150 years of family rule at Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch President and CEO August A. Busch IV joins the new company's board as a non-executive director.

Anheuser-Busch shares stopped trading Monday and will now be swapped for $70 each in cash. The Belgian-Brazilian takeover of Anheuser-Busch comes after a bitter battle turned sweeter with a higher offer in July, despite protests in St. Louis that saw politicians criticize the deal and Web sites call for Bud to be saved from "the waffle guys."

Anheuser-Busch provides half of America's beer but it has not managed to expand around the world as fast as InBev -- a Belgian-Brazilian hybrid that owns hundreds of local brands but few real stars.

InBev has promised to keep all 12 North American breweries open as long as the company faces no new U.S. taxes. Anheuser-Busch already plans to shed 1,185 jobs -- mostly by offering early retirement and not filling vacancies.

What do you think?  Few products are more American than Budweiser.

Thanks for blogging,
Corrina