MillerCoors -- a joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors (TAP) -- last week announced that it has launched a new corporate division intended to focus on the company's craft and import beer business. This business (which is a rather solid performer) includes brews Blue Moon, Peroni Nastro Azurro, and Leinenkugel's.

The new unit is named Tenth and Blake Beer, after the streets where MillerCoors' breweries are located in Milwaukee and Denver. Tom Cardella, who was appointed president and chief executive officer of Tenth and Blake noted, "You are seeing a tremendous amount of consumers gravitating to craft beer.... Consumers are being more discerning about beer."

Continue reading MillerCoors Launches New Craft Beer Division

MillerCoors Launches New Craft Beer Division originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Molson Coors Brews Up a Strong Second Quarter

Molson Coors Brews Up a Strong Second Quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Summertime Stocks for a Rising Market

Summertime Stocks for a Rising Market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the business world, there's rarely a thing as growing too big. But unfortunately for Sam Adams brewer Boston Beer (SAM), the price of success could be higher costs and the loss of its label as an "artisan" craft beer.

That's not to say a cold bottle of Sam Adams Summer Ale will taste any different to consumers. But according to the Brewers Association, "artisan" brewers include small outfits that put out less than two million barrels of suds a year. That means the brewer that almost single-handedly sparked interest in smaller batch brews with more flavor could be pushed into the same category as the big beer vendors like Anheuser Buch Inbev (BUD) and Molson Coors (TAP).

Continue reading Sam Adams May Lose 'Artisan Beer' Label

Sam Adams May Lose 'Artisan Beer' Label originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Though by some estimates, consumer spending has topped its 2008 peak (really!) there is no denying that many businesses are still offering rock-bottom prices to lure shoppers out of their shells. You can now add convenience store chain 7-Eleven to the list.

The company just announced that it will be offering a lower-priced private label beer in an effort to connect with Americans looking for a cold brew this summer. The label is called "Game Day," and will be produced by City Brewing of Wisconsin -- a facility that joined up with Boston Beer (SAM) in 2007 to craft its flagship Sam Adams lager.

Continue reading 7-Eleven Private Label Beer May Drain Big Brewers

7-Eleven Private Label Beer May Drain Big Brewers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading A Merger in Beer Land

A Merger in Beer Land originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You know, it figures that this would be the year that I give up my Bengals season tickets. I suffered through three years of horrid football and decided that I was not going to renew my tickets for financial reasons or as a protest against the team's (mis)management in the past 19 years.

That said, one reason that did not attribute to my giving up the tickets was the NFL's new tailgating rules. In an article Darren Rovell put on Twitter this morning (featured in USAToday), a New York Jets fan says that the tailgating rules (that limit tailgating to 3.5 hours before kickoff) may be the "final nail" that forces him to give up his season tickets. The new tailgating rules are supposed to help "crack down on drunken and disruptive fans" by limiting the time fans can tailgate.

Continue reading JockStocks: Tailgating policies won't affect 'real' fans

JockStocks: Tailgating policies won't affect 'real' fans originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Constellation Brands has reason to celebrate

Constellation Brands has reason to celebrate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This morning, Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the world's largest spirits maker, announced that annual profit increased 7%. The company's net sales for the year increased 15% to 9.3 billion pounds thanks to solid performance in its international segments.

Diageo's sales increased during the past few quarters, thanks to investment in major brands like Johnny Walker, Guinness, and Smirnoff. This investment has helped the company weather the global economic downturn better than most of its major rivals.

Continue reading Diageo's 2010 forecast has investors crying in their beer

Diageo's 2010 forecast has investors crying in their beer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I saw a story in The Wall Street Journal last week discussing what is being called a "rare" slump for Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company saw volume sales fall for Bud Light for the first time in the beer's 27-year history. Dollar sales of Bud Light dropped 2.5% (compared to a year earlier) in the U.S. during the 13 weeks that ended on July 12. Volume sales were 5.5% lower.

So, what can Bud do to rev up sales? How about a new advertising campaign with more than 15 new television commercials and new retail displays. When the American football season begins, the new ads will inundate our television screens and it will further the beer's "Drinkability" campaign that began a year ago.

Continue reading Anheuser-Busch to introduce new beer and plenty more commercials to combat slumping sales

Anheuser-Busch to introduce new beer and plenty more commercials to combat slumping sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading As economy flounders, people still drink beer

As economy flounders, people still drink beer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Molson Coors Brewing serves up quarterly earnings

Molson Coors Brewing serves up quarterly earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Booze Stocks: Drinkers cutting back. Will stocks follow?

Booze Stocks: Drinkers cutting back. Will stocks follow? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading A look at Diageo's announcement

A look at Diageo's announcement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) closed at $43.29. KO is scheduled to report Q4 EPS on February 12. KO February option implied volatility of 36 is near its 26-week average of 34, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) closed at $50.44. PEP is scheduled to report Q4 EPS in early February. PEP February option implied volatility of 35 is near its 26-week average of 33, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Hansen Natural (NASDAQ: HANS) closed at $33.33. HANS is expected to report Q4 EPS in late February. HANS February option implied volatility is at 61, March is at 67; below its 26-week average of 72, according to Track Data, suggesting less price movement.

Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) closed at $42.93. TAP is scheduled to report Q4 EPS on February 10. February option implied volatility of 42 is near its 26-week average of 39, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Beverage purveyors volatility's are Flat originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Who knew that the fate of world beer would one day be in the hands of the beer faithful in Rochester, New York? The tastes of this blue-collar town, along with neighbors Syracuse and Buffalo, are key in the pending acquisition of Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) by Belgian giant InBev, SA. The three cities make up half of the U.S. consumption of Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light. Due to the popularity of Labatt brews and Budweiser brands in upstate New York, the U.S. Justice Department worries that beer prices might rise in Rochester.

So, if the acquisition is to be approved, giving Europeans control over America's iconic beer brands, InBev is being asked to sell the Labatt USA subsidiary. Other major InBev brands, including Stella Artois, Becks, and Bass, are not considered competitive enough in any markets to reduce competition between beers and provide upward pressure on prices.

Nope, it all comes down to Rochester and its surprisingly European tastes. Who would have thought?

Merger of beer giants all comes down to Rochester originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one of six articles on beverage-related stocks. Here are five other investment ideas to sip on.

Each month in The Forbes International Investment Report, editor John Christy interviews top global stock managers. Here, Lou Gerken of Gerken Capital Associates eyes a favorite beverage play from Latin America.

The money manager explains, "Investors should take heart that there are companies they can invest in at very low valuations in emerging markets. And in the particular case of Latin America, many have U.S.-listed ADR's that have plenty of liquidity and are very accessible and cost-effective to buy.

"We think that Mexico is probably the best positioned Latin American country from a risk perspective because, obviously, with 86% exports to the U.S. it's very reliant on the U.S., but it's still seeing very healthy internal growth irrespective of what's going on in the U.S.

"A company that we like there is FEMSA (NYSE: FMX). It produces, markets and distributes Coca-Cola, Dos Equis, Tecate Beer and a lot of other beverages across Latin America. It also operates something that's very comparable to our 7-Eleven stores.

"They're called OXXO convenience stores. Very strong sales and EBITDA growth, despite the presumed slowdown that's been occurring as it relates to the U.S.contagion effect,and valued very attractively at 8 times EBITDA."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

FEMSA (FMX): South of the border for soda & beer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading InBev raises bid, makes Anheuser-Busch an offer it can't refuse

InBev raises bid, makes Anheuser-Busch an offer it can't refuse originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Booze a defensive play in a bear market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been about two weeks since InBev NV made its blockbuster $46.3 billion bid for rival Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc (NYSE: BUD). Yes, the silence has been deafening. And, of course, the rumors have been rampant.

In fact, InBev has been getting antsy. For example, this week the company reaffirmed its bid (it's the third letter from InBev's CEO, Carlos Brito).

There is also a lending group ready to pull the trigger. The banks include: Banco Santander, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Fortis, ING Bank, JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM), Mizuho Corporate Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland.

But, according to the Wall Street Journal [a paid publication], it looks like the company's board is close to making an announcement. Although, it appears that the company will reject the deal. Essentially, Anheuser-Busch thinks the deal is too cheap.

That may be the case. But there's a problem: who can pay a higher price for the company?

Interestingly enough, it appears that Anheuser-Busch will make some restructuring moves (such as selling non-core assets). But why didn't it do this several years ago?

The fact remains that the company doesn't have a viable alternative - that is, unless InBev wants to bid against itself. But why?

Instead, it's a good bet that InBev will go directly to shareholders and pull off a hostile bid. In such a move, it will certainly put lots of pressure on Anheuser-Busch - which has few defenses - and perhaps get a deal done fairly quickly.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Anheuser-Busch (BUD) to shareholders: This deal is not for you originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.