Something's brewing: Makers of Budweiser could soon make a move on SABMiller



MILWAUKEE -- Big news in the beer world as the makers of Bud and Bud Light say they're making a move for Miller.

On Wednesday, September 16th, the writing is all over the place with word of a takeover approach involving two beer behemoths. The two companies are Anheuser Busch InBev, the makers of Budweiser and SABMiller, responsible for Miller products.

A statement from SABMiller, the parent company of MillerCoors reads in part:

"The Board of SABMiller notes the recent press speculation and confirms that Anheuser-Busch InBev ... has informed SABMiller that it intends to make a proposal to acquire SABMiller. No proposal has yet been received and the Board of SABMiller has no further details about the terms of any such proposal."

If and when it does, Milwaukee Business Journal reporter Olivia Barrow suggests MillerCoors' Milwaukee operation is not likely to experience a significant impact due to regulatory restrictions.

"You won't have a situation where Anheuser-Busch, all the sudden, owns MillerCoors, and they're all one company, and your Bud Light, and your Miller Lite are like, sitting next to each other, on the shelf," said Barrow.

Barrow says it is more likely that MolsonCoors would take over the U.S. portion of MillerCoors.

"It'd be a different owner, but it'd be an owner that really, you know, has been part of the joint venture, and, really, has the same goals," said Barrow.

SABMiller's statement also indicates that Anheuser Busch InBev must announce whether or not it intends to make an offer to purchase SABMiller by 5 p.m. on October 14th.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.