In July 2008 Anheuser-Busch agreed to be purchased by InBev for approximately $52 billion. After the takeover was finalized in November, the newly formed Anheuser-Busch InBev became the world's largest brewer.

Anheuser-Busch, the iconic American brewer of Budweiser, was bought by the Belgian-Brazilian brewing giant InBev in November 2008. The $52 billion hostile takeover was a landmark event in the global beverage industry, resulting in the formation of the world's largest brewing company, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev). Before the acquisition, InBev was already a powerhouse (formed from the merger of Interbrew and AmBev), but the addition of the St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch gave it a dominant hold on the North American market. Following the deal, Carlos Brito became the CEO of the combined entity, and the company underwent significant cost-cutting and restructuring. Despite the international ownership, AB InBev maintains its North American headquarters in St. Louis and continues to operate the historic Anheuser-Busch breweries. In 2026, AB InBev remains the undisputed leader of the global beer market, owning over 500 brands including Stella Artois, Corona, and Michelob Ultra, alongside its original flagship American labels.