Planet Of Beer

ST. LOUIS (June 20, 2008) - Anheuser-Busch, a leading global brewer, will purchase the remaining 50 percent ownership of the Crown Beers India Ltd. joint venture from its partner, Crown International. The acquisition includes the joint venture’s 500,000-hectoliter brewery in the southern city of Hyderabad.

“The Indian beer industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, and acquiring the remaining 50 percent of the Crown Beers joint venture reaffirms Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to being a key player in this emerging beer market,” said Tom Santel, president and chief executive officer, Anheuser-Busch International, Inc. “As Crown International looks to focus on its other successful businesses, this move will continue to best position the Budweiser brand for long-term growth in India.”
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Enschede, Netherlands (May 2008) - SABMiller plc announces that it has reached agreement in principle with Anheuser-Busch to transfer the US importation rights for the Grolsch brand to SABMiller’s subsidiary, Miller Brewing Company. The transfer is subject to the negotiation of definitive legal agreements which the parties expect to be finalised in the next few weeks. The financial terms of the transfer are not being disclosed.

Anheuser-Busch acquired the US distribution rights to the Grolsch brand in February 2006, prior to SABMiller’s subsequent acquisition of the Dutch brewer Royal Grolsch N.V. which was completed in February 2008. In 2007, Grolsch imports into the US grew to approximately 215,000 hectolitres*.
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