Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest beer brewer by volume, wants to acquire SABMiller, which is brewer No. 2. That would mean nine of the 20 most produced beers come from one company, with $55B in annual sales. That combined shop would be worth around $276B.
The merger talk comes as large brewers are having trouble holding ground with younger drinkers, who are turning to independent breweries. By Oct. 14, AB InBev has to make a formal bid or drop the merger plan, according to UK merger rules. [CNN]
