Budweiser Attempting World Domination, Justice Department Says 'Hell Naw'

By Besha Rodell Fri., Feb. 1 2013 at 2:00 PM

Categories: Beer

Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser, has been looking to buy Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo for $20.1 billion, giving them ownership of brands like Corona, Pacifico and Negro Modelo. But yesterday, the Justice Department sued to stop the merger, saying it would lead to an unfair market share for Anheuser-Busch and possible higher beer prices for consumers.

It's estimated that if the deal went through, Anheuser-Busch would control 46% -- almost half -- of the country's beer sales. To put it in perspective, MillerCoors, the second-largest beer company, controls 29% of nationwide sales. It kind of gives new, foreboding meaning to the phrase "king of beers."

The Justice Department said that, particularly in 26 metro areas, the merger would make for very little market competition. Think about it: how many gas stations basically only sell Budweiser and Corona? That's the breakdown of choices in many supermarkets in less beer-savvy markets.

Here's an AP story on the lawsuit, posted on the Washington Post's website.

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Venice Patch

Bud is already owned InBev, a dutch company. I hope the feds stop this deal.

Dedra Williams

Would these beers be considered as domestic beer?

Thom Lewis

Remember what Budweiser did to Red Hook? Hands off Negra Modelo!

Gloria-Jean Molinaro

Love miller draft =bottle = regular = not light/can taste the water in it !!!

Doug McIntyre

So the Feds care if a beer company is "too big to fail" no suds cartel, but Goldman Sachs? No problem!

Liliana Vasquez-Duran

I don't drink any of them anyways....tasteless beers. I prefer Bohemia or Carta Blancca

Marc Cuevas

Who cares. It's really only Budweiser and the those brands business wether they want to go forward with the transaction.

Jane C. Arge

They'd turn it into some rank swill trying to save money... Old timers remember what Miller did to Lowenbrau - once an awesome German beer... Lowenbrau Malt was prized by every aspiring teen aged drunkard at my high school. Miller quit making that all together... the Lowenbrau light and dark just became Nasty twist top American crap... Corporations always ruin good stuff. More recently Budweiser ruined Red Hook. They suck. I quit drinking years ago... so for me it is more principle, one of caution.

Shaun Christie

1 Like

who cares craft brew mania is about to take over the world and soon people will realise they dont have to drink watery flavorless beer.

Maddy Serrano

I don't care! I only drink Hef's

Jeff Co

Well, watering down Corona and Pacifico might prove a challenge if they still want to call them "beer"... Then again, Budweiser doesn't really make beer to start with anyway.

Lauren Valle

1 Like

no because i prefer to drink craft. we have good local breweries like golden road, eagle rock, etc..

Jovida Alvarez Diaz

Me too, let it be, Corona is everywhere in Mexico~ it just wouldn't be the same. Budweiser is already the king of beers~ it's like if china would buy Budweiser~ it just wouldn't be the same.