Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Chief Executive Officer Carlos Brito, attempting to allay concerns of U.S. lawmakers and craft brewers about the company’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of SABMiller Plc, said the deal would increase domestic beer competition, not weaken it.
While the megamerger would open new markets for AB InBev, Brito said it wouldn’t boost the Budweiser maker’s market position in the U.S. To make sure that’s the case, the Leuven, Belgium-based company plans to sell SABMiller’s 58 percent stake in MillerCoors to joint-venture partner Molson Coors Brewing Co. for $12 billion as it seeks to gain approval from the U.S. Justice Department.
