Anheuser-Busch InBev to Merge with SABMiller After $107 Billion Purchase

Last year, rumors poured in that SABMiller, the makers of Miller Lite and Miller High Life, could attempt to merge with Anheuser-Busch InBev, the brewery responsible for Budweiser (ahem, America).

Today, that news has been confirmed, and with the U.S. Department of Justice’s blessing. Anheuser-Busch InBev will purchase SABMiller for a whopping $107 billion.

According to UpRoxx, the DOJ stipulates that SABMiller must “spin-off” its current U.S. brands and will have to cede all international rights of Miller Brands.

Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch InBev must stop any and all attempts to halt distributors from selling other craft brands with incentive programs, and must inform the DOJ of any further acquisitions of other beer distributors, including craft beer breweries. This aspect is actually positive news for the U.S. craft beer industry.

The Associated Press reports that Anheuser-Busch InBev will sell MillerCoors to Coors-Light creators Molson-Coors, whom Miller already has a U.S. distribution deal with. Molson-Coors will reportedly pay $12 billion to sell and make Miller High Life and others in the U.S.

This megabrew merger comes after craft beer had another stupendous year in 2015, a trend Budweiser attempted to mock with tasteless, flat ads.