Anheuser-Busch: The American Biermeister

The brewery is over 150 years old, it produces over 100 million barrels of beer worldwide, has over 100 brands, is the third largest worldwide producer of beer, and is the world's largest brewery by revenue. The company was recently purchased by Belgian company InBev, taking America's St. Louis based beer giant, to far off lands.

In 1860 Eberhard Anheuser, a German immigrant, purchased Bavarian Brewery, renaming it E. Anheuser & Co. Four years later his son-in-law Adolphus Busch joined the company that would eventually bear his name.

In 1876 the brewery introduced its most well known brand Budweiser, and Michelob in 1896. The brewery broke the 1 million barrel production mark in 1901, but eventually hit a rough patch during prohibition.

During that time the company got by producing other products including root beer, bread yeast, ice cream, chocolate and a non-alcoholic version of Budweiser.

The company celebrated the end of prohibition by parading their Clydesdale-driven beer cart down Pennsylvania Ave. to deliver beer to the president.

In 1936 the company produced its first canned beer.

Anheuser-Busch hit another rough spot during World War II. Due to grain rationing the company was forced to use rice in their beer. After the war consumers enjoyed the light taste and color of Budweiser that rice remained a key ingredient even when more grain became available.

In 1986 the company hit another milestone by producing over one billion barrels worldwide. Eleven years later in 1997 they produced 100 times as much breaking 100 billion barrels.

Anheuser-Busch produces world famous brands including Budweiser, Michelob, Bush, Rolling Rock, O'Douls and the Natural family. The company is also responsible for importing brands including Grolsch, Becks, Loewenbraeu, Stella Artois, Bass and Hoegaarten.

In addition to the company's 12 North American breweries, it owns Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Vir. and Tampa, Fl. The company also owns Sea World. The company owns the St. Louis Cardinals, and is the official beer of the NBA and MLB.

Belgian beer giant InBev purchased the company for a reported $52 billion, or $70 per share of stock. Pending approval from shareholders and U.S. and European anti-trust regulators, the deal will by far make the company the world's largest beer producer.

InBev has stated Anheuser-Busch's St. Louis base will become its North American headquarters, and all 12 American breweries will remain open.

InBev to Buy Anheuser-Busch

Belgian beer company InBev announced it will buy its U.S. rival Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion to create the world's largest brewer.

The purchase means that control of America's largest brewer, No. 1 worldwide in revenue, moves overseas. Anheuser-Busch controls more than 48 percent of the domestic American beer market from its base in St. Louis, Missouri, with brands including Budweiser, Michelob, Busch and O'Douls.

InBev is the world's second largest beer maker with brands including Becks, St. Pauli Girl, Stella Artois, Hoegaarten, Bass and Labatt.

The deal is pending approval from shareholders and American and European anti-trust regulators. The merger will produce the fourth-largest consumer product company worldwide.

The Wall Street Journal said the deal was for $70 a share, a $5 increase over the offer Anheuser-Busch rejected in June.

It is unclear how long it will take for the merger to be approved. Several Missouri politicians have expressed their concern about the acquisition. Their main concern is how the merger would affect the approximately 6,000 employees of the St. Louis factory.

InBev has stated that it will use St. Louis as it's North American headquarters, and will keep the company's 12 breweries open. InBev has not said if layoffs will occur as a result of the merger.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. has not yet issued a statement.

In addition to protest from politicians at least two websites have sprung up with hopes of stopping the merger. SaveBudweiser.com claims to have more than 60,000 signatures protesting the deal. SaveAB.com recently organized an anti-merger rally that drew hundreds to downtown St. Louis.

InBev announced its intent to purchase the American beer giant on June 11th. The company initially rejected the offer of $65 per share, stating the offer was too low.

There was some surprise when reports surfaced that the companies were sitting down for negotiations when InBev raised their offer by $5 to $70 per share.

Eberhard Anheuser acquired the Bavarian brewery in 1860 and renamed it E. Anheuser & Co. His son-in-law, Adolphus Busch, joined the company in 1864 and it was eventually renamed Anheuser-Busch.

The company lasted through prohibition by selling products ranging from root beer to ice cream.