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Lift a Glass to Belgian Bid for Bud

But US outrage is understandable

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2008 10:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – Belgian beer company InBev’s bid for Anheuser-Busch may look like an affront to a US tradition—but it's perfectly in keeping with the American spirit of entrepreneurship, writes Maureen Ogle in the Washington Post. It’s “precisely the sort of bold strike that launched the American Revolution and still fuels the American dream"—and if Adolphus Busch were alive today, he’d hire InBev’s CEO.

The move is “history repeating itself,” Ogle notes. In the brewing world, companies snag each other all the time. In fact, Anheuser-Busch bought Rolling Rock’s brewery from InBev in 2006. But it’s fair for Americans to be outraged at InBev’s offer, she concedes. Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser is an American story. It was founded by immigrants and was largely family-run for more than a century.

In this June 11, 2008 file photo, the Anheuser-Busch brewery is seen in St. Louis. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)

In this June 13, 2008 file photo, Anheuser-Busch beers Budweiser and Bud Light are on tap at Hammerstone's bar in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Whitney Curtis)

In this June 12, 2008 file photo, crates of Beck's beer are seen on the grounds of the InBev brewery in Bremen, northern Germany. (AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach)

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But US outrage is understandable

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But US outrage is understandable

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

beer • Budweiser • Anheuser-Busch • American dream • InBev

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'King of Beers' Gets a Taste of Own Medicine

...and realize it's a lot like watery piss, actually

InBev Boosts Bid for Bud, Making Buyout Likely

Deal now tops $50 million, and Anheuser is likely to accept

Budweiser to Reject InBev Offer

Anheuser-Busch now may face a hostile takeover bid

Budweiser to Buy Corona to Stave Off Stella?

Anheuser-Busch tries to avoid InBev takeover with Modelo talks

Belgium's InBev Mulls Budweiser Takeover

Stella maker could make unsolicited bid

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