It seems that $70 a share was enough for Anheuser-Busch — the brewer agreed to sell itself to Belgian beer giant InBev over the weekend. The new company will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev, and its board will have room for two former A-B executives, including A-B CEO, August A. Busch IV.
Anheuser Busch
Anheuser-Busch Rejects Foreign Takeover Bid
By 6.27.08
Anheuser-Busch says that is going to fight a takeover bid by Belgian brewer InBev by cutting staff and finding savings of over $1 billion, the St. Louis-based brewer announced today. They also plan to increase profits and repurchase stock.
Should The Proposed Sale Of Anheuser-Busch To A Belgian Brewer Be Stopped?
By 6.17.08
Missouri governor Matt Blunt has sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, “asking for a federal review of the proposed sale of Anheuser-Busch Cos. to Belgian brewer InBev,” says the AP. Blunt is concerned that allowing the maker of Becks and Stella Artois beers to buy the St. Louis-based brewery could create a “near monopoly” in the US beer market, and that it would damage the Missouri economy.
Attorneys General Investigating Anheuser-Busch And Miller Over Energy Drink Marketing
By 2.21.08
Attorneys general in several states have subpoenaed documents from A-B and Miller as part of an investigation in to the marketing of caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks, says the AP.
Spykes Gets Axed
By 5.19.07
Anheuser-Busch is pouring Spykes down the drain less than a week after twenty-nine state attorneys general asked the brewer to warn customers that mixing Spykes with caffeinated beverages could be dangerous. The AGs also expressed concern that the colorful alcoholic flavor shots encouraged underage drinking.
“Due to its limited volume potential and unfounded criticism, we have ceased production of Spykes,” Anheuser-Busch said in a statement, in which it added that Spykes was the lowest alcohol content product in its market segment.
The decision, announced by Anheuser-Busch CEO August Busch IV, was heralded by Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal as a “significant victory in the fight against underage drinking.” Sorry, kids. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
Twenty Nine Attorneys General Worry Teenagers May Get All Coked-Up On Spykes
By 5.12.07
Twenty-nine state attorneys general have asked Anheuser-Busch, makers of the alcoholic flavor shots called Spykes, to warn consumers that it may be dangerous to mix Spykes with caffeinated beverages. The AGs also expressed concern that Spykes might encourage underage drinking with its “tiny, attractive, brightly colored containers that can be easily concealed in a pocket or purse.” That couldn’t possibly appeal to underage drinkers, who, we are told, prefer their 40 oz beverages concealed in sober tan paper bags.
Anheuser-Busch spokeswoman Francine Katz said the St. Louis company does not endorse underage drinking and does not target minors. She said Spykes shots, which are sold in 2-ounce bottles and have as much alcohol as a third of a glass of wine, are less likely to appeal to minors, who typically “drink for instant impact.”
Controversy is practically Spykes’ mistress. The Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms already ruled that the Spykes’ teeny-tiny government mandated warning label was “out of compliance” for being too teeny and tiny. We don’t see Spykes becoming less controversial anytime soon, leading us to wonder: is Spykes the new Cocaine? — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
