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• The King of Beers goes to war: Anheuser rejects InBev

  Posted Jun 27 2008, 07:37 AM by Anthony Mirhaydari
  Filed under: M & A, Anheuser-Busch, Beverages, Anthony Mirhaydari
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  Since InBev launched its audacious $46 billion offer for Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch, investors, analysts, and proud American beer drinkers have all been awaiting word from the executive suite in St. Louis: What's it going to be, yay or nay to the Brazilian-led but Belgian-owned predator?

  Yesterday, in a scathing rebuke, CEO August Busch IV didn’t just say no but made an impassioned call to arms. He called the unsolicited offer "financially inadequate" and not in the best interests of shareholders. He touted management's efforts to boost shareholder value through its Blue Ocean cost-reduction program. He stressed the brewer's global footprint. He flaunted Anheuser's renowned brand-building abilities and the power of the Budweiser and Bud Light brands. He even made it personal and told InBev CEO Carlos Brito to take his money and his big dreams elsewhere.   Read More...

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• Mexican family controls Budweiser's fate

  Posted Jun 23 2008, 06:59 AM by Anthony Mirhaydari
  Filed under: M & A, Anheuser-Busch, Beverages, Anthony Mirhaydari
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  InBev's $46 billion cash offer for Anheuser-Busch is turning into a global economic nightmare for those proud of their Great American Lager. It's bad enough that a Belgian brewer run by a bunch of Brazilians is trying to buyout the last of the great U.S. beer makers -- this after Miller was made South African in 2002 and Coors became part-Canadian in 2004.

  But now, fate has it that the best hope for keeping Anheuser free from the clutches of foreigners rests with the Fernandez family, controllers of Grupo Modelo, the Mexican brewery famous for Corona.   Read More...

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• It's over, folks: Buffett backs Budweiser sale

  Posted Jun 17 2008, 10:30 AM by Anthony Mirhaydari
  Filed under: M & A, Anheuser-Busch, Beverages
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  In a surprising move, Warren Buffett told the Belgian newspaper De Standard this morning that he supports InBev's $46 billion cash offer for Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch. His Berkshire Hathaway owns some 35 million shares, or a 5% stake in the iconic beer maker.

  The endorsement comes as a bit of a slap in the face for Anheuser CEO August Busch IV, who was trying to buy some time as indicated in this formal response sent to InBev yesterday. In fact, the Oracle of Omaha was going to grace Mr. Busch with his presence later this week to talk the deal through.   Read More...

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• Will Budweiser become Belgian?

  Posted Jun 16 2008, 10:18 AM by Anthony Mirhaydari
  Filed under: M & A, Anheuser-Busch, Beverages
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  As you've no doubt heard by now, Anheuser-Busch, the business behind one of America's most iconic brands, is being pursued by foreigners. Late last week, Belgian-based brewer InBev launched an unsolicited all-cash buyout offer worth some $46 billion. Not surprisingly, given a dour U.S. populace, the deal is already generating serious backlash on rumors of job cuts and brewery closings. Jokes that the famous Clydesdales could be sent to a glue factory to help pay down post-merger debt aren't helping either.

  Although the deal can't be classified as a matter of national security, as was the case with high-profile acquisition attempts by Dubai Ports World and CNOOC, I have a feeling this one will strike a chord with the average guy on the street. In the words of the Economist, "Could anything symbolize America's loss of economic supremacy more clearly than for its favorite beer to fall into foreign hands?" Politicians are drooling   Read More...

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