Interbrew to Buy Maker of Beck’s Beer
Associated Press
Belgium’s Interbrew reached an agreement to buy the maker of Beck’s beer, Brauerei Beck, for $1.6 billion, a deal that would make it the No. 2 brewer in the premium lager market behind the Dutch company Heineken.
Analysts described the price as relatively high but said Interbrew could see benefits if it can increase exports to such countries as the United States, where sales of imported beers are growing. Interbrew’s flagship brand is Stella Artois.
Beck’s, a 128-year-old company, is Germany’s fourth-largest beer brewer, with annual sales of about $752 million.
Privately held Beck’s had put itself up for sale just last month. Bidders included St. Louis, Mo.-based Anheuser-Busch Cos. and Britain’s Scottish & Newcastle Breweries.
