Acquisition adds 40 craft beers to A-B’s portfolio
February 6, 2014
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced it has agreed to purchase Blue Point Brewing Co., a Long Island, N.Y.-based craft brewer that has more than 40 beers and sales concentrated along the East Coast. The move will bring additional resources to Blue Point's operations, allowing it to meet growing consumer demand for its brands, A-B says. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Holland, Mich.-based New Holland Brewing Co. announced a collaboration with Carhartt, a Dearborn, Mich.-based work wear brand, to brew a craft beer in honor of the clothing manufacturer’s 125th anniversary. The new brew will pay tribute to the hard-working people who wear Carhartt clothing, the companies say.
Lager will hit the market in mid-February, company says
January 30, 2014
MillerCoors, Chicago, will launch Miller Fortune lager in mid-February to help the beer category regain share of the market that has been lost to spirits, wine and their drinking occasions, says Karina Diehl, communications manager for the Miller family of brands and multicultural brands.
Spirits-, beer-, wine-maker sees strong growth in super-, ultra-premium brands
January 30, 2014
Diageo plc, London, reported interim financial results for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2013. Following 2.2 percent growth in the first quarter, net sales grew 1.8 percent in the first half of the fiscal year, supported by 4.6 percent growth in North America, the company reports. Sales in emerging markets also were up 1.3 percent, but were negatively impacted by weakness in China and Nigeria, and sales in Western Europe were down 1 percent, continuing the improvement trend seen in the first quarter.
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser brand released a teaser trailer for its “Hero’s Welcome” commercial, which will premiere Feb. 2 during Super Bowl XLVIII. This 60-second advertisement, which is one of five Anheuser-Busch Super Bowl commercials running this year, continues Budweiser’s long-standing support of the U.S. military and celebrates returning troops, the company says.
Business move will strengthen AB InBev’s position in Asia-Pacific region
January 20, 2014
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), Leuven, Belgium, announced that it will re-acquire Oriental Brewery (OB), a leading brewer in South Korea, from New York-based Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) and Hong Kong-based Affinity Equity Partners for $5.8 billion.
Bud Light to debut new creative campaign during the big game
January 15, 2014
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), announced that it will debut five ads during the Super Bowl XLVIII broadcast on Fox on Feb. 2. The company’s Bud Light and Budweiser brands will be featured in 3.5 minutes of game-time commercials.