This company profile of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) reveals the unethical practices of the world’s largest beer producer. It provides examples of harmful methods across the categories of political interference, promotion, sabotage, manipulation, and deception – the Dubious 5 strategies.

Introduction

AB InBev is a Belgian multinational beverage and brewing company based in Leuven, Belgium. It has a global functional management office in New York City, and regional headquarters in São Paulo, London, St. Louis, Mexico City, Bremen, Johannesburg, and elsewhere.

• AB InBev is the biggest beer producer in the world.
• Michel Doukeris is the CEO of AB InBev since July 2021.

AB InBev is a beer giant created by multiple take-overs of competitors:

• AB InBev was formed through the Belgian InBev acquiring the American company Anheuser-Busch.
• InBev itself was a beer giant created by the merger of Belgium-based Interbrew and Brazilian beer giant AmBev in 2004. It existed independently until the take-over by Anheuser-Busch in 2008, which formed Anheuser-Busch InBev.
  • The beer giant became the largest beer producer in the world.
• AB InBev took over its main competitor SABMiller in October 2016. At the time SABMiller was the second largest beer brewer worldwide by revenue.
  • The new “beerhemoth” controls more than 500 beer brands sold in over 150 countries. Their international brands include Beck’s, Stella Artois, Brahmas, Budweiser, Corona, Leffe and Hoegaarden.

At the time of the creation of the beerhemoth, researchers wrote:

The merger between the world’s two largest beer producers – AB InBev and SABMiller – has potentially far-reaching consequences for health in Africa. The deal, announced in November 2015 and agreed by the European Commission on May 24 [2016], will result in this new conglomerate having a dominant position in the global beer market…”

– Hanefeld J, Hawkins B, Knai C, et al. What the InBev merger means for health in Africa. BMJ Global Health 2016;1: e000099. doi:10.1136/ bmjgh-2016-000099

The merger between the world’s two largest beer producers – AB InBev and SABMiller – is unfolding far-reaching consequences for health in Africa. The deal, announced in November 2015 and agreed by the European Commission on May 24 [2016], will result in this new conglomerate having a dominant position in the global beer market…”

Fast Facts about AB InBev in 2022

Anheuser-Busch InBev generated global revenue of over $57 billion in 2022. This was an increase over the $54 billion dollars in revenue in 2021. 

*EBITDA – Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation 

AB InBev involvement in front groups

Our biggest opportunity is in the beer category, which is inclusive, natural, and local. We want to move from being the category leader to leading category growth.”

– AB InBev Annual Report 2021