Reliably reported by Wall Street Journal Radio.

See also:

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...332045720080714

Stay tuned for how this affects the Busch parks...

I really don't get how A-b could be having financial problems.... you know how many people drink bud light? I figured my friends alone would be enough to keep A-B an american company

They aren't having financial problems...this is a case of an international company buying with what is for them cheap dollars. It is probably the first of many such acquisitions. I can see the same thing happening to either Six Flags or Cedar Fair or both...and even possibly to Disney some day...

I really don't get how A-b could be having financial problems.... you know how many people drink bud light? I figured my friends alone would be enough to keep A-B an american company

Not as many tomorrow as there was today.

It's sad to see something that was considered part of America die out.

Sad situation.

About this, see:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/...b7?OpenDocument

Read that and tell me there is virtually ANY chance of this company keeping the parks in the long term...

I guess it would depend on how much money they make.

It sucks because its like the last American Beer company... I dunno PBR might still be made here, but I do know Miller was bought out by SAB in 2002, and then the new company, SAB-Miller bought Coors like last year or something.

Would the Busch parks be running still at the end of the summer? I'm taking a trip there soon...

The parks will of course be open and operating. And probably still even named the same thing....this won't happen overnight, and in any event, the parks are worth far more as going concerns. This is not the ideal time to be divesting them...

CNN was doing a story yesterday about the $70/ share offer and the potential for AB to be owned by a foriegn company.

I was surprised on the bitter taste it was leaving in people's mouths.

I, for one, hope that this deal does not go through (even though the likelihood is about 99% that it will). For my own ulterior motives; I love the Busch parks and would hate to see them owned/ operated by someone else. AB has done such a great job with the parks, it is unthinkable that someone else can do better.

I find it oddly depressing. These parks receive such high praise

Busch Entertainment's Worlds of Discovery. You may discover it's not how you remembered it.

Something tells me the signs in the mens' rooms at Busch parks making fun of SAB Miller's non-American ownership will soon be quietly removed.

And something tells me that bars will be taking Budweiser and Bud Light signs down all over the country.

I guess the rumors of Busch buying some Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks will be on hold for now.

I can see this depressing SIX's stock even more, though. The possibility of more parks on the market could even impact FUN.

In the amusement world, this is NOT good news. Not good at all.

Not sure if this was posted before, but, Press release dated 7/7/08 on the purchase of AB by InBev.

http://www.anheuser-busch.com/Press/ABConsentSol.html

I guess that $5/ share increase is exactly what it took to get the deal done.

More details, including speculation InBev will keep the Clydesdales but sell the parks:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/anhe...&dist=msr_1

I think if they want out bad enough they will sale the parks individually and about three will be sold. The rest will go like Geauga Lake.

^ Which, unlike the GL decision, would truly be a crime....

I think if they want out bad enough they will sale the parks individually and about three will be sold. The rest will go like Geauga Lake.

Would go the way of Geauga?

Which of the Busch properties could you possibly compare to what Geauga was?

I'm with Browntggr on this one.

Yes it's sad about Geauga, but honestly that's like comparing Strickers Grove to Disney World.

I didn't compare, I am saying that is what could happen.

Farewell to the king

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/...9F?OpenDocument

I would rather go to Stricker's Grove.

Mod Edit: Comment removed for inappropriate language. How old are you?

I would rather go to Stricker's Grove.

Mod Edit: Comment removed for inappropriate language. How old are you?

That is really funny!

Press release:

http://www.anheuser-busch.com/Press/PressI...S%20RELEASE.pdf

....It is one of 10 parks nationwide owned and operated by the subsidiary Busch Entertainment Corp., which employs about 26,000 full-time and seasonal workers and reported 2007 sales of $1.27 billion, about 8 percent of Anheuser-Busch's net sales. The other parks include SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

Anheuser-Busch and Sesame Place officials would not speculate on the ultimate ownership of the amusement parks, whether InBev would keep them, or sell all or part to another operator. Last week, before the deal was struck, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch quoted an InBev spokeswoman, Marianne Amssoms, as saying it was "too early in this process" for InBev to have decided.

The newspaper paraphrased Amssoms as saying InBev understood the theme parks' contributions to the areas where they operate and would try to help preserve that role.

Equity analysts have said the company would focus on the beverage business and probably would face pressure to sell the parks. But at the same time, the economic slowdown and tight credit markets might make it difficult for InBev to find a buyer able to afford the parks.

The other large public companies that specialize in theme parks are Six Flags Inc. of New York and Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. of Sandusky, Ohio....

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20...es_to_sale.html

It wouldn't really surprise me if InBev does hold onto the parks for a while. (Unless someone like Parques Reundios or some big venture captial firm steps up right away with a pile of cash...) From all reports, the parks are profitable and do a good job in their PR efforts for the company, so why not keep them around? Especially in such a down market...a fire sale now doesn't particularly make a lot of sense. While it maintains close ties to the parent company, BEC is its own operating entity and wouldn't necessarily have to distract InBev from the core business.

The rumors were pretty strong right after the GE purchase of Vivendi-Universal that they would immediately unload the parks, but yet a few years later they still own and operate them. (And, have even added--or are in the process of adding--some pretty extensive new attractions.) It was the same deal...the market didn't look so great for the sale of the parks at the time, so they held on to them. And, while a sale of the Universal Parks probably still isn't out of the question, from their actions it seems like they may have realized the value of the parks to the overall business...

Who knows...I think I'm most pleased about InBev keeping the Clydesdales--that would have been awful.

How will Busch sale affect Williamsburg brewery, amusement parks?

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/busines...07-14-0180.html

InBev Deal Leaves Busch Gardens Future Uncertain:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/14/in...ture-uncertain/

A-B Theme Parks Face Possible Sale (Updated):

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/anhe...}&dist=hpts

I think the 3.5 billion to 4 billion is a little on the high side. I don't think that could be a profitable investment at that price.