Belgian Brewer to Buy Anheuser-Busch

classicman · 07-14-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

BRUSSELS, Belgium (July 14) - Brewer InBev SA said Monday it will buy U.S. rival Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion to create the world's largest brewer. After several months of persistence from Belgium's InBev, Budweiser maker Anheuser-Busch agrees to be acquired for $52 billion in a deal that will create the world's largest brewer. The company will operate under the name Anheuser-Busch InBev.

I'm not even a beer drinker, but this just seems wrong to me.

TheMercenary · 07-14-2008, 11:38 AM

Global economy. There is no way to stop this train. As the US dollar continues to dive I am afraid we may be seeing more of this. Countries from the Middle East (oil rich), as well as China and India will be seeking to own a greater share of the US economy engine.

Griff · 07-14-2008, 01:13 PM

... besides their product is crap.

TheMercenary · 07-14-2008, 02:08 PM

Stella is good beer.

Griff · 07-14-2008, 02:32 PM

I meant A-B is crap, they can have it.

Cheap alcohol is a good investment in a turbulent economy.

TheMercenary · 07-14-2008, 02:39 PM

Oh, sorry about that, I read it the other way around. Really I don't care who owns what anymore, well with the exception of security related assets, which beer is not.

Chocolatl · 07-14-2008, 03:47 PM

Has anyone heard anything about what this deal will do to Anheuser-Busch owned properties like Sea World and Busch Gardens?

Shawnee123 · 07-14-2008, 03:50 PM

They're being taken over by Duff Gardens.

Sundae · 07-14-2008, 05:30 PM

The only positive outcome I see (in my personal life) to these mega-corporations is a minor backlash that encourages people to patronise smaller businesses.

I was talking to a customer in the pub about it tonight. We're technically part of a chain as we are owned by a company. We have limited choice in what we sell and consequently only stock the really big names. BUT we are small enough to pass under their radar and have a much more personal feel because of it.

Ideally I'd like to work in a Freehouse (as I did back in Aylesbury) but there's precious few around in this area. Those that are - and those that appear to be, like us - are often treasured. If only we could get a few more real ales/ local brews in we'd be laughing.

I love to go in a pub and see something different on the pumps. I'm not a bitter drinker, but I figure if I see some unusual bitters I'm probably somewhere that's worth coming back to.

smoothmoniker · 07-14-2008, 06:30 PM

Why is smaller/local better?

Sundae · 07-14-2008, 06:53 PM

More personal.
I'm free to give water to passing cyclists/ walkers. Or let them use our toilets. The chain HM works for actively discourages anyone trying to use the facilities or get free drinks. I like to think people's days are better for it.

We also uphold the East End tradition of free bar food on Sundays. Only cheese & crackers because we sell Sunday lunches. But it's welcoming. None of the chains offer this.

The shop I worked in in Leicester often offered extra services to customers that they would not have had from department store. We bent over backwards to help our customers because although we were on a set wage, we worked alongside the owners.

There is definitely place for both, but I try to patronise small local businesses where possible. Once they're gone, they're gone and the personal touch and any kind of negotiation is gone with it.

Also, in the wider view - local is far better for the environment.

monster · 07-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Ideally I'd like to work in a Freehouse (as I did back in Aylesbury) but there's precious few around in this area. Those that are - and those that appear to be, like us - are often treasured. If only we could get a few more real ales/ local brews in we'd be laughing.

I love to go in a pub and see something different on the pumps. I'm not a bitter drinker, but I figure if I see some unusual bitters I'm probably somewhere that's worth coming back to.

Pubs in US operate totally differently from those in the UK. You can get pretty much any beer in any pub or restaurant, here -no link to manufacturers. Unlike soft drinks where it's the Coke line or the Pepsi line, but never both. The only exception (beer-wise) is pubs that brew their own (Microbreweries). they don't serve the competition in the main. Pubs are not generally owned or franchised by the breweries like they are in the UK. Why not, I don't know. Maybe because food is often a bigger part of it than it is in the UK.

Bitter is a type of beer for the few who thought SG was talking about her emotions.

Now I'm wondering if Americans use the word "punps" in relation to draft beer? On the pump means On Tap. You've got me all paranoid. I need another beer. (Bud)

monster · 07-14-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

Why is smaller/local better?

UK Chain Pubs = US Walmart Stores

monster · 07-14-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

UK Chain Pubs = US Walmart Stores

...they serve a purpose, but crush character and community.

Sundae · 07-14-2008, 08:06 PM

Once again - my translator!
Ta.

07-14-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Global economy. There is no way to stop this train. As the US dollar continues to dive I am afraid we may be seeing more of this. Countries from the Middle East (oil rich), as well as China and India will be seeking to own a greater share of the US economy engine. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

07-14-2008, 01:13 PM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	... besides their product is crap. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

07-14-2008, 02:08 PM	#4
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Stella is good beer. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

07-14-2008, 02:32 PM	#5
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I meant A-B is crap, they can have it. Cheap alcohol is a good investment in a turbulent economy. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

07-14-2008, 02:39 PM	#6
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Oh, sorry about that, I read it the other way around. Really I don't care who owns what anymore, well with the exception of security related assets, which beer is not. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

07-14-2008, 03:47 PM	#7
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	Has anyone heard anything about what this deal will do to Anheuser-Busch owned properties like Sea World and Busch Gardens?

07-14-2008, 03:50 PM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	They're being taken over by Duff Gardens. Attached Images __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-14-2008, 05:30 PM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	The only positive outcome I see (in my personal life) to these mega-corporations is a minor backlash that encourages people to patronise smaller businesses. I was talking to a customer in the pub about it tonight. We're technically part of a chain as we are owned by a company. We have limited choice in what we sell and consequently only stock the really big names. BUT we are small enough to pass under their radar and have a much more personal feel because of it. Ideally I'd like to work in a Freehouse (as I did back in Aylesbury) but there's precious few around in this area. Those that are - and those that appear to be, like us - are often treasured. If only we could get a few more real ales/ local brews in we'd be laughing. I love to go in a pub and see something different on the pumps. I'm not a bitter drinker, but I figure if I see some unusual bitters I'm probably somewhere that's worth coming back to.

07-14-2008, 06:30 PM	#10
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Why is smaller/local better? __________________ to live and die in LA

07-14-2008, 06:53 PM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	More personal. I'm free to give water to passing cyclists/ walkers. Or let them use our toilets. The chain HM works for actively discourages anyone trying to use the facilities or get free drinks. I like to think people's days are better for it. We also uphold the East End tradition of free bar food on Sundays. Only cheese & crackers because we sell Sunday lunches. But it's welcoming. None of the chains offer this. The shop I worked in in Leicester often offered extra services to customers that they would not have had from department store. We bent over backwards to help our customers because although we were on a set wage, we worked alongside the owners. There is definitely place for both, but I try to patronise small local businesses where possible. Once they're gone, they're gone and the personal touch and any kind of negotiation is gone with it. Also, in the wider view - local is far better for the environment.

07-14-2008, 08:06 PM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Once again - my translator! Ta.

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