Cheers: Feds OK Miller, Coors Merger

(NEWSER) - The nation’s largest brewers plan to raise beer prices in the fall, the Wall Street Journal reports. Anheuser-Busch InBev—maker of Budweiser—and MillerCoors will further test the notion that beer is generally recession-proof. “The environment is very favorable, we think,” says an Anheuser exec. Both companies have been able to offset sales slumps by raising prices in the last year. More»

New beer behemoth could challenge Anheuser-Busch

(NEWSER) - Molson Coors Brewing Co. and SABMiller PLC today agreed to combine their US operations and form beer behemoth MillerCoors, which could dent the traditional dominance of Anheuser-Busch. The Budweiser manufacturer—which controls almost 50% of the US beer market, compared with Miller’s 20% and Coors’ 11%—may feel pressured to seek its own merger, the Wall Street Journal says. More»

Natural Light, Busch, High Life see sales jump

(NEWSER) - With the recession drying up cash flow, thirsty Americans are seeking out “sub-premium” beers, and brewers are marketing accordingly, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Anheuser-Busch is creating its first-ever ad campaign for Natural Light, whose sales are up 4% this year; MillerCoors is pushing Miller High Life, whose sales have risen 1.6%. More»

(NEWSER) - Does it taste great, or is it less filling? Miller Lite drinkers can have it both ways, the Chicago Tribune reports: The beer’s 30-year-old slogan “Great taste, less filling” is being resurrected for a fall advertising campaign coming to a TV, radio, and store near you. Parent company MillerCoors is trying to unseat light-beer king Anheuser-Busch. More»

New beer comes amid slumping sales for Anheuser-Busch

(NEWSER) - Tastes great, less filling, and more intoxicating? Anheuser-Busch is rolling out what the LA Times calls a "long-germinating beer concept" that it hopes is all that and a bag of chips. Dubbed Bud Light Platinum, the beer will have a robust 6% alcohol by volume, 137 calories, and an eye clearly on the burgeoning craft beer industry. Regular Bud Light has 4.2% ABV and 110 calories, while Bud sports 5% and 145 calories. More»