That operation merged with Belgian giant Interbrew in 2004 to create InBev, which then obtained America's largest brewer, St. Louis's Anheuser-Busch, in 2008 in a stunning $52 billion deal. The new AB InBev outdid itself last year by paying $103 billion for rival SABMiller.

Despite persistent rumors, China has never bought Anheuser-Busch. The company is actually owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), a multinational mega-corporation headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The confusion often stems from the 2008 hostile takeover when the Brazilian-Belgian company InBev acquired the American icon for approximately $52 billion. While AB InBev has a massive presence in the Chinese market and owns several Chinese brands like Harbin Brewery, the parent company remains European. In 2026, AB InBev continues to be the world's largest brewer, managing a portfolio of over 500 brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona. It is a high-value peer correction to clarify that while China is a vital manufacturing and consumer hub for the company, the ownership and executive control of Anheuser-Busch are firmly rooted in Belgium, not China.