Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) outperformed the U.S. beer industry in the first quarter of 2026, the company reported Tuesday. In the U.S., A-B’s Q1 depletions (sales to retailers) increased 0.3% year-over-year (YoY), which the company credited to “beer and beyond beer share gains and an improved industry.” Shipments (sales to wholesalers) declined 3.2%.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ ambitions for Anheuser-Busch InBev’s portfolio aren’t limited to New York. The wine and spirits juggernaut has struck another deal for a red network distributor, this time for the assets of Eagle Rock Distributing Co. in Colorado.
A pair of big red network distribution deals were announced in the last 24 hours. Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed to purchase the distribution rights of its brands, as well as “certain craft/NA brands,” from Advance Beverage Company in Bakersfield, California. Meanwhile, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits inked a deal for independent A-B distributor Clare Rose on Long Island.
In this week’s Last Call: Budweiser becomes the ‘official beer’ of the National Women’s Soccer League; California revises the definition of ‘beer’; A-B back away from its Asia Pacific IPO; Founders Announces the end of CBS; and more news.
In this week’s edition of Last Call: Nearly two weeks after lifting aluminum and steel tariffs imposed against Mexico and Canada, President Donald Trump has reversed course and announced plans to levy a 5 percent duty on all goods from Mexico over immigration — bringing the issue back into the taproom. Plus, North Coast co-founder Mark Ruedrich announces his retirement.
Following a federal judge’s ruling Friday evening, Anheuser-Busch InBev will be required to pull some Bud Light advertisements that suggest MillerCoors’ flagship light lagers, Miller Lite and Coors Light, contain corn syrup. Western District of Wisconsin Judge William Conley granted MillerCoors a “narrow in scope” preliminary injunction, blocking A-B from displaying billboards that say Bud Light contains “100% less corn syrup” than its rival’s lagers, as well as broadcasting a pair of television ads that he deemed “misleading.” The judge also denied A-B’s motion to dismiss the case.
Anheuser-Busch InBev today reported global revenue growth of 5.9 percent in the first quarter of 2019, despite continued declines of its two biggest brands in the U.S. A-B, the world’s largest beer manufacturer, recorded global revenue growth of nearly $12.6 billion during the quarter, and a gross profit of more than $7.7 billion, as its worldwide volume increased 1.3 percent. The company’s revenue per hectoliter also grew 4.6 percent during the period.
In the latest edition of Press Clips: The Boston Globe outlines the turmoil within the Craft Beer Cellar franchise; Texas beer-to-go sales amendment passes the House; Arcadia founder transfers brewery property ownership to its bank; and Anheuser-Busch responds to MillerCoors’ corn syrup lawsuit.
In this week’s edition of Last Call: Deschutes tells Roanoke city officials it is unlikely to build a production facility by a 2021 deadline; Trillium spends $13 million to acquire Canton real estate; Deschutes hires ex-Dogfish Head VP of marketing; BrewDog shares Q1 highlights; and more industry news.
Big beer’s “corntroversy” is moving from television screens to the courtroom. MillerCoors today filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin that claims Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light Super Bowl ads and its subsequent “transparency” ads are part of a “false and misleading advertising campaign” aimed at deceiving health-conscious consumers.
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament officially tips off on Thursday, and several major beer manufacturers are already jockeying for fans’ attention. MillerCoors, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) and D.G. Yuengling are among the beer companies hoping consumers will want to catch a buzz with their products while watching for buzzer beaters this month.
In the latest edition of People Moves: Long-time beer executive Bill Hackett retires from Constellation Brands; Crook & Marker hires Bai president; and Anheuser-Busch InBev board chairman set to resign.
Anheuser-Busch InBev today reported 2018 global revenue growth of 4.8 percent — to more than $54.6 billion — despite continued declines in the U.S.
The fragile alliance among the United States’ largest beer producers is at risk following Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Super Bowl ads for Bud Light that highlighted its ingredients and the use of corn syrup in competitor offerings Coors Light and Miller Lite, made by MillerCoors.
Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will mark Anheuser-Busch InBev’s biggest ever bet made on the big game.
In this week’s edition of Last Call: Cargill unloads its malt business; domestic beer shipments decline 6 percent in November; Canopy Growth eyes the U.S. market following the Farm Bill signing; the Arcadia auction is postponed; and more industry news.
Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced a partnership with Canadian cannabis company Tilray that is aimed at researching non-alcoholic beverages infused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). In a joint press release, the two companies said they would each invest up to $50 million to better understand the market for beverages infused with cannabis.
