Heileman May Buy Interest in Stroh: G....

Heileman May Buy Interest in Stroh: G. Heileman Brewing officials have discussed buying a minority interest in the Stroh Brewery, touching off speculation about a possible merger between two of the nation’s largest beer companies. But analysts question whether such a deal could clear federal antitrust laws. Stroh officials several weeks ago announced their willingness to sell a minority interest in the Detroit-based company, the third-largest brewer in the United States. The speculation about a merger was touched off when Murray Cutbush, president and chief executive of La Crosse, Wis.-based Heileman, disclosed that representatives from his company were in Detroit to meet with Stroh officials.