AB InBev to explore sale of SABMiller's European premium beer brands

[LONDON] Anheuser-Busch InBev NV said it will explore the sale of SABMiller Plc's European premium beer brands including Peroni and Grolsch to help address potential antitrust issues arising from the planned merger of the brewers.

Meantime Brewing Co, the independent beermaker acquired earlier this year by SABMiller, is also among the brands being considered for sale, AB InBev said in a statement Thursday.

"These beers are loved by consumers and we are very proud of them," SABMiller Chief Executive Officer Alan Clark said in the statement. "Until the change of control we will continue to invest in growing these great beers and supporting our talented people who brew, sell and manage them." Any sale would be conditional upon completion of AB InBev's acquisition of SABMiller, the companies said.

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