Anheuser-Busch completes US$490M acquisition of RTD brand BeatBox

USA – Anheuser-Busch has completed its $490 million acquisition of ready-to-drink beverage brand BeatBox, strengthening its position in the fast-growing Beyond Beer category.  

The transaction, first announced in December, gives the brewer an 85% stake in the Austin, Texas-based company, with an option to acquire full ownership after five years. 

The move expands Anheuser-Busch’s portfolio beyond core beer brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, adding to a Beyond Beer lineup that includes Cutwater Spirits, Nutrl Vodka Seltzer and Phorm Energy. 

Chief Executive Officer Brendan Whitworth said: “We’re excited to formally welcome BeatBox into our Beyond Beer portfolio. I’m confident that their entrepreneurial spirit, their commitment to consistent innovation and their ability to connect with their consumers will be a strong complement to our existing team and capabilities. 

“Anheuser-Busch has a proven playbook for building winning brands, and I look forward to embarking on the next phase of dynamic growth together.” 

BeatBox recorded nearly 50% growth last year and ranked as the No. 5 fastest-growing brand by dollar sales in the US hard beverage industry, according to data from Circana. 

The company generated more than $340 million in retail sales for the 52 weeks ended November 23, the data firm reported. 

Founded in 2011 as an MBA project at the University of Texas at Austin, BeatBox gained national recognition in 2014 after appearing on the television show Shark Tank.  

The brand is known for fruit-forward, party-focused beverages offered in wine-based and malt-based versions with alcohol by volume levels of 11.1% and 8%, respectively. 

Justin Fenchel, BeatBox co-founder and CEO, said: “When we started BeatBox in 2011, we could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. We’ve been so fortunate to build something that truly resonates with people, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.” 

Fenchel added that the acquisition will help accelerate growth and continue the brand’s mission of “bringing people together and making the world more fun.” 

Earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch announced plans to reacquire a minority stake in several US-based metal container manufacturing plants and invest US$30 million in its Jacksonville, Florida brewery and container facility to support demand for Michelob Ultra. 

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