AB IV Thinking About Getting His Drink On

from Ad Age: The president of beer giant Anheuser-Busch said at an industry conference the company has contemplated buying its way into the spirits business. In response to a question, August Busch IV said there has been a lot of internal dialogue about making an acquisition outside of beer.
An executive who attended the conference said Mr. Busch did not identify any potential targets and that no deal is imminent. Mr. Busch also said the company might go into higher or lower alcohol products on its own but didn’t elaborate, the executive said.
Mr. Busch’s remarks come as Anheuser-Busch and other brewers struggle to grow while spirits sales are on the rise. Spirits have taken share in bars and nightclubs.
Anheuser-Busch has retaliated by stepping up bar promotions