Anheuser-Busch Adds Kokanee and Alexander Keith's to Import Portfolio

ST. LOUIS (June 30, 2009) - Effective July 1, 2009, Anheuser-Busch will become the U.S. importer, marketer and distributor for the Kokanee brands, brewed in British Columbia, Canada, at the historic Columbia brewery; and the Alexander Keith's brands, which originated and continues to be brewed in Nova Scotia.  Anheuser-Busch is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev.

The Kokanee brands, as well as Alexander Keith's Traditional Lager, had previously been imported by Labatt USA (also known as InBev USA).  In November, the former InBev agreed to divest the assets of Labatt USA to win clearance from the United States Department of Justice for its acquisition of Anheuser-Busch.  In a transaction that closed March 13, 2009, KPS Capital Partners, LP acquired the assets of Labatt USA from Anheuser-Busch InBev, as well as a license to brew, distribute, market and sell Labatt branded beers for consumption in the U.S.  The Kokanee and Alexander Keith's brands were not included in the transfer to KPS.

"One of the benefits of our company's global portfolio is the depth and variety of leading brands it offers," said Dave Peacock, president, Anheuser-Busch.  "These brands are hugely popular in their home markets, and Kokanee has already developed a loyal following among targeted audiences here in the United States.  We're looking forward to incorporating them into Anheuser-Busch's line-up of import and specialty brands, and to developing their growth."

A cool, crisp lager, the Kokanee brand family comes from the pristine, glacier-fed mountains at the Columbia Brewery in British Columbia, where it has earned its reputation as Canada's Beer of the Mountains.  Kokanee Glacier has a loyal following among knowledgeable beer drinkers throughout the Northwestern U.S.  First brewed in Nova Scotia in 1820, the Alexander Keith's brands are now that region's most popular beers.

Alexander Keith''s has been brewing fine beers since 1820 and to this day his original brewery still stands in the heart of downtown Halifax.  More than 180 years later, Alexander Keith''s fine ale is still brewed his way slowly, carefully, taking the time to get it right.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales.  The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.  Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer.  Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Global Companies list in 2009.  Anheuser‑Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's largest recyclers of aluminum cans.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.