In 2008, A group of Brazilian and Belgian investors led InBev's takeover of Anheuser-Busch, a huge blow for the family. August Busch IV, CEO at the time of the $52 billion bid, was the last of the family to lead the company.

The Busch family's company, Anheuser-Busch, was sold to the Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev in 2008 for $52 billion. The deal was a hostile takeover that valued the maker of Budweiser at $70 per share. At the time, it was the largest-ever acquisition in the global beer industry and ended over 150 years of independent family control. The sale was highly controversial within the Busch family, particularly for August Busch IV, who was the CEO at the time and initially fought the takeover. Since the sale, the company has been known as AB InBev. While the Busch family walked away with billions in proceeds—divided among at least 21 descendants—many family members have since expressed regret over the loss of the legacy, which has been documented in various memoirs and reality TV shows like The Busch Family Brewed.