$50 Billion Deal: Belgian Brewer Inbev In Friendly Takeover Talks With Anheuser-Busch

July 14, 2008 8:41 a.m. EST

St. Louis, MO (AHN) - Anheuser-Busch Cos., the largest beer brewer in the U.S., has entered into talks with Belgian brewer Inbev NV after it came up with a sweetened offer amounting to $49.9 billion for the merger of the two companies.

Inbev reportedly moved closer to a takeover after boosting its offer by 7.7 percent to $70 a share or $49.9 billion to the maker of the 132-year-old Budweiser brand. The move came about after Inbev stopped bidding for its U.S. rival.

If the merger pushes through, Inbev would become the world's largest brewer by volume and sales. However, talks over the multi-billion-dollar deal may still fall through.

Shares of Anheuser were up by 7.5 percent to a record $65.91 Friday.