Local brewers are pondering the ramifications as Belgium beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev pursues its rival SABMiller to create a global $382 billion beer colossus.
Though the deal has yet to gain regulatory approval, should it proceed, onlookers say there will be fallout in Australia.
SABMiller owns Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), and if the takeover proceeds, some have predicted Lion may lose its exclusive local distribution rights to AB InBev brands such as Corona, Stella Artois and Beck’s to CUB.
Lion won the local rights to Corona, one of Australia’s biggest selling beers, after SABMiller acquired Foster’s a few years ago.
Lion chief Stuart Irvine says he not yet been in touch with AB InBev to discuss the ramifications.
“We have not been specifically in touch with them because there is no need to, because we are just controlling what we need to control,’’ Irvine told The Australian this week.
Meanwhile, Dr Tim Cooper, the managing director of Australian family owned Coopers Brewery, which accounts for five per cent of the Australian beer market, said the possible acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev had been rumoured for more than a year, and its impact would be felt locally.
“It will place significant additional pressure on the brewing industry suppliers going forward and result in a further loss of diversity,” he said.
“However, Coopers remains fiercely independent.”
