AB Inbev confirms plans to sell part of SABMiller’s business, aka Peroni, Grolsch – and UK craft brewer Meantime
Soon to be wed, AB Inbev and SABMiller have confirmed they're looking at ways of appeasing their parents, ie. competition regulators, by exploring the sale of three of SAB's biggest European brands.
Yep: as has been rumoured in the past few days, Peroni and Grolsch may be put up for sale, the pair said in statements today – but on top of that, Greenwich-based craft brewer Meantime may also be put up for sale – just over six months after it was bought by SABMiller.
SAB said the brand's "premium positioning" had led it to consider a sale.
Any sale will be conditional on the completion of the merger between the pair, which is expected to create the world's largest brewer, with annual revenue of £42bn.
After a lengthy battle of wills, the two finally agreed a deal in mid-November, with AB Inbev offering £44 a share for SAB, a 50 per cent premium on its share price before the bid was made public.
Today Alan Clark, SAB's chief exec, said Meantime had been a "welcome addition to SABMiller" with a "growing and loyal fanbase".
"These beers are loved by consumers and we are very proud of them. Until the change of control we will continue to invest in growing these great beers and supporting our talented people who brew, sell and manage them."