Deja Vu

Beer-y Goodness

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beer,

commerce,

corporations,

Germany

“InBev and Anheuser-Busch Agree to Combine, Creating the Global Leader in Beer with Budweiser as its Flagship Brand,” InBev Press Release, July 14, 2008.

InBev and Anheuser-Busch today announced an agreement to combine the two companies, forming the world's leading global brewer. Anheuser-Busch shareholders will receive $70 per share in cash, for an aggregate equity value of $52 billion, in an industry-transforming transaction. The combined company will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev. Both companies' Boards of Directors have unanimously approved the transaction. InBev has committed financing for the purchase of all of Anheuser-Busch's outstanding shares.

The combination of Anheuser-Busch and InBev will create the global leader in the beer industry and one of the world's top five consumer products companies. On a pro-forma basis for 2007, the combined company would have generated global volumes of 460 million hectoliters, revenues of $36.4 billion and EBITDA of $10.7 billion. Anheuser-Busch and InBev together believe that this transaction is in the best interests of both companies' shareholders, consumers, employees, wholesalers, business partners and the communities they serve.

“Reinheitsgebot,” (Bavarian Beer Purity Law), Apr. 23, 1516.
In Germany, the Bavarian Beer Purity Law has since been replaced by less stringent—especially concerning the choice of ingredients—regulations. Still, many Central European brewers claim to adhere to the law as a matter of pride.

We hereby proclaim and decree, by Authority of our Province, that henceforth in the Duchy of Bavaria, in the country as well as in the cities and marketplaces, the following rules apply to the sale of beer:

From Michaelmas [Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Sep. 29] to Georgi [Feast of St. George, Apr. 23], the price for one Mass [1.069 liter] or one Kopf [bowl-shaped container for fluids, not quite one Mass], is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and From Georgi to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not more than three Heller [a Heller is usually worth one half-Pfennig].

If this not be adhered to, the punishment stated below shall be administered. Should any person brew, or otherwise have, other beer than March beer, it is not to be sold any higher than one Pfennig per Mass. Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the Court authorities' confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail. Should, however, an innkeeper in the country, city or markets buy two or three pails of beer (containing 60 Mass) and sell it again to the common peasantry, he alone shall be permitted to charge one Heller more for the Mass of the Kopf, than mentioned above. Furthermore, should there arise a scarcity and subsequent price increase of the barley (also considering that the times of harvest differ, due to location), WE, the Bavarian Duchy, shall have the right to order curtailments for the good of all concerned.

Signed: Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria on April 23, 1516 in Ingolstadt.

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