Last call for Bud before takeover?

[proud2BlibKansan]

By JIM SALTER
The Associated Press

The proposed acquisition would bring a wide array of beers under one corporate roof, including Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light and Budweiser and InBev’s Bass and Stella Artois.

ST. LOUIS | After weeks of public bickering, the Anheuser-Busch Cos. board appears likely any day to accept a sweetened buyout offer from the big Belgian brewer, InBev SA.

Though no sources were named, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News reported Friday that talks got going, and an agreement appeared likely, after InBev, based in Leuven, Belgium, boosted its takeover offer for the St. Louis-based maker of Budweiser, Bud Light and other beers by $5 a share, to $70.

A deal would be a stunning turnaround from the heated exchanges between the two companies over the past several days.

Anheuser-Busch “does not confirm, deny or speculate on rumors of potential investments, acquisitions, mergers, new business partnerships or other transactions,” said W. Randolph Baker, the company’s vice president and chief financial officer. InBev offered no immediate comment.

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The deal has been widely opposed by Missouri politicians, who fear it would create a near-monopoly in the U.S. beer market and hurt the state’s economy. Anheuser-Busch employs about 6,000 workers in St. Louis.

Many St. Louisans fear the loss of the iconic brewer, which is heavily involved in charitable and civic endeavors. A Web site, SaveBudweiser.com, claims to have nearly 60,000 signatures from merger opponents. Another Web site, SaveAB.com, held a rally last weekend that drew hundreds of takeover opponents.



http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/701919.html

[madrchsod]

1. they are buying ab for a huge discount

..the euro is 1.58....

and the board of directors are falling for it.....

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. AB is a screwed up company

The Busch family is about as dysfunctional as a family can be. There is a book about them called UNDER THE INFLUENCE. I highly recommend it.

AB is a powerful corporation in MO and the reason it was slow to lower its DUI limit. There was also no open container law until recently.

They are also HUGE Bush supporters.

[Mudoria]

5. They also supply high paying jobs to quite a large number

of Americans. Who they support politically is their business just as who I support is mine.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. When they support drunk driving, I draw the line

AB has far too much influence on politics in MO.

[old mark]

3. Who cares - Bud sucks.

I haven't had a beer for over 20 years, but I remember Bud was about last on my list. No distinct characteristics, just kind of the average beer.

mark

[skooooo]

4. CNN talked about this yesterday..

....I made this post. It was interesting the way they framed the story:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6488983&mesg_id=6488983

[Swamp Rat]

7. Belgians make some of the best ale while Anheuser-Busch makes the WORST beer on Earth.

Let 'em have it.

Maybe Belgian alchemists can turn American Budweiser (alligator piss) into real beer.