AB InBev Completes SABMiller Mega-Merger

AB InBev completed its multi-billion acquisition of SABMiller on 11 October, having divested several the joint companies’ brands in Europe, Asia, and the US, which had been holding up final regulatory approvals. The mega-merger created Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, the world’s largest brewer.

The acquisition saw AB InBev sell Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brand families in Europe to Asahi Group Holdings, while China Resources Beer Company Limited bought out SABMiller’s equity in China Resources Snow Breweries Limited (CR Snow) for USD 1.6 billion. In the US, SABMiller’s interest in MillerCoors was divested to Molson Coors. MillerCoors will now sit as a wholly owned subsidiary of Molson Coors. The final piece of the puzzle was completed when The Coca-Cola Company announced that it would buy ABInBev out of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

Coca-Cola Amatil has since been announced as the official distributor for Miller Genuine Draft and Miller Chill beers in Australia following the MillerCoors deal. CCA had already formed close ties with Molson Coors in this market, already distributing its Coors Light and Blue Moon brands.

The takeover of SABMiller’s subsidiary Carlton & United Breweries in Australia became effective at the beginning of October. Brands including Corona, Stella Artois and Budweiser can now be ordered from CUB.

CEO of AB InBev, Carlos Brito said on the completion of the merger, “Today we have become a truly global brewer and we’re excited that we are now one company and one team. As I have always said, we can achieve more together than we could apart.

“When I think about the future and our dream of bringing people together for a better world and when I think about what we’re combining here in the new company - amazing heritage, history, brands, skill-sets, and talents, that’s an amazing thing, it’s a lifetime opportunity, and the passion we have for our beers…it’s really exciting.”

Brito added, “Our goal is to drive long-term growth that also benefits our business partners and other stakeholders. We want to do this through brands and experiences that bring people together like beer has done for thousands of years. I’m especially excited about our presence in key growth regions, including Africa, Latin America and Asia. These areas will be very important to the future success of our company.”

Shares in AB InBev rose following completion of the acquisition.

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