Global beer major Anheuser-Busch will acquire the remaining 50% in its Indian joint venture — Crown Beers India — from its partner Crown International. This also includes the joint venture’s 500,000-hectolitre brewery in Hyderabad.
“As Crown International looks to focus on its other successful businesses, this move will continue to best position the Budweiser brand for long-term growth in India,” he said.
This development comes in the wake of the world’s second largest brewer Inbev making a $47-billion bid for Anheuser-Busch. If Inbev gets control of the company, it would have a strong position in the 158-million cases strong beer market in India as Budweiser has established strong brand recall in India, where it was launched only last year.
Anheuser-Busch is expected to see its India volume cross a million cases this year, with mostly led by Budweiser, making it the most successful international beer launch in the country. In addition to Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch will continue brewing and distributing Armstrong, a premium strong beer developed specifically for the Indian beer market.
“As we continue to strengthen Budweiser’s sales and distribution throughout the country, the best practices and knowledge Crown International shared with us will be a tremendous asset for Anheuser-Busch’s India business moving forward,” Santel said.