InBev the Belgian distributor that brings us Stella Artois, Becks and Hoegaarden (a previously reviewed beer here) is going to be purchasing the United States largest brewer in Anheuser-Busch, maker of Budweiser, for reportedly $52 billion.  This deal is of course still pending approval but a major question remains as to the over 6,000 people employed in the St. Louis brewery.  InBev has said they plan on keeping St. Louis as the US headquarters and keep open all 12 nationwide breweries.  Also two major members of Anheuser-Busch will remain on the board of directors.

InBev first made public their interest in the purchase in June when an initial offer was rejected.  The final cost shows that they will pay about $70 a share in the merger.

Time will tell what this purchase will mean to American beer if anything.  Maybe at the very least it will help the distribution of more imported beers and the ability to offer them at a cheaper cost.