Anheuser-Busch has accepted a takeover offer of $52 billion from InBev. Logos courtesy of Anheuser-Busch and InBev.

Anheuser-Busch, the maker of major drink brands Budweiser and Bud Light, has accepted a takeover offer of $52 billion (£26bn) from giant Belgian brewer InBev.

The deal, which is subject to shareholders’ and regulators’ approval, will create the world’s largest brewer and the fourth-largest consumer product company worldwide.

After the agreement to the offer by the board of directors on Sunday (13 July), Anheuser-Busch shareholders will receive $70 (£35) per share in cash in an industry-transforming transaction. The combined company will be named Anheuser-Busch InBev, with its North American Headquarters in St Louis, Missouri.

InBev is currently the world’s second-largest beer-maker behind SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch is by far the largest brewer in the US with more than 48% of the market share.

For InBev, the maker of Stella Artois and Beck’s, the deal gives the company a premier beer brand – Budweiser – to sell into emerging markets where it has already established a firm footprint.

According to a joint press release, InBev’s Chief Executive Officer Carlos Brito will become CEO of the combined company, while August Busch IV, the Head of Anheuser-Busch, and one other current or former director from the US brewer will join the board.

Brito said: “Together, Anheuser-Busch and InBev will be able to accomplish much more than each can on its own […] This combination will create a stronger, more competitive global company with an unrivaled worldwide brand portfolio and distribution network, with great potential for growth all over the world.”

August Busch IV said: “This agreement provides additional and certain value for Anheuser-Busch shareholders, while enhancing global market access for Budweiser, one of America’s true iconic brands.”

The company said it expects cost synergies of at least $1.5 billion a year by 2011 over three years, however the deal will not benefit earnings per share until 2010.

Shares of InBev opened 2.25% higher on Monday at €45.50.

For more information on the takeover, visit: http://www.anheuser-busch.com/index.html ^[1]; http://www.inbev.com/ ^[2]