Dec 5 (Reuters) – Anheuser-Busch InBev on Friday said it plans to acquire a majority stake in the U.S.-based ready-to-drink beverage brand BeatBox for about $490 million.

The deal would give Anheuser-Busch ownership of 85% of the company, with a path to 100% after five years based on a predetermined pricing formula.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 following regulatory approval.

Surveys indicating a fall in alcohol consumption have fed a debate in recent years about whether drinking might be in long-term decline, especially in the key U.S. market, due to a trend towards healthier lifestyles and a broader retail slowdown.

BeatBox’s acquisition will add to the Budweiser maker’s “Beyond Beer” portfolio, which includes brands such as Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL

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