First brewed in 1873, Beck's beer is crisp, fresh, and "full of character." It's also still part of the growing AB InBev family. Anheuser-Busch InBev, which is of course the Belgian-based parent of Anheuser-Busch (BUD), has abandoned plans to sell the German beer brand to Bain Capital. According to a German magazine, citing financial sources, this was really an eleventh-hour decision, as the contracts were already drawn up and Bain had secured $2.54 billion in financing.
While InBev officials had no comment, reporters are hypothesizing that the beverage giant's recent sale of 13 breweries in Eastern Europe raised 2.2 billion euros, which was enough to lighten the company's debt burden and eliminate the need to ditch the Beck's brand.
Beck's is one of Anheuser-Busch InBev's 14 brands that generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Others include Budweiser, Stella Artois, Michelob, and Labatt's Blue (people buy more than $1 billion worth of Labatt's?)
Beth works for The Options News Network (www.ONN.tv), which provides daily stock and options commentary. The above comments are not intended as trading advice.
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