One giant brewer could soon own nearly half the world’s top beers.
The world’s leading brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, is planning a takeover of its main rival SABMiller. If the deal happens, it will be the biggest merger in brewing history, creating a company with sales of $55 billion.
And a huge stable of beer brands.
The new entity would own 18 of the world’s 40 most popular beers by volume, Euromonitor data shows.
Its biggest seller? Bud Light. Despite falling sales, the brew remains the world’s third most popular beer, outranking stronger brother Budweiser in fourth place.
ABInBev has three more brands in the global top 10: Skol, Harbin and Brahma. Brazilian drinkers like Skol and Brahma, while Harbin is one of China’s favorite brews.
British giant SABMiller’s biggest seller is Miller Lite. The pilsner style offering is the 15th most popular beer in the world.
SABMiller owns four other brands in the top 40: Castle, Chibuku, Carling Black Label and Aguila. This reflects the brewer’s sweeping global footprint — from Africa, to Europe and South America. The company operates in six continents and produces more than 200 brands of beer worldwide.
Together ABInBev and SABMiller own 18 of the top beers in the global top 40. Here’s the list:
1. Bud Light
2. Budweiser
3. Skol
4. Harbin
5. Brahma
6. Corona Extra
7. Miller Lite
8. Antarctica
9. Busch
10. Sedrin
11. Castle
12. Chibuku
13. Victoria
14. Natural
15. Stella Artois
16. Cass
17. Carling Black Label
18. Aguila
Source: Euromonitor, by volume.