🍺 World’s #1 Brewer, Leading the Future of Beer

🧾 HG&W Strategic Review Report: AB InBev

📌 Company Overview

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) is the world’s largest brewing company, with a vast portfolio of over 500 beer brands, including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Beck’s, and Michelob Ultra. The company is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has operational roots in both American and European brewing history.

• Founded: Formed through the merger of Interbrew (Belgium), AmBev (Brazil), and Anheuser-Busch (USA)

• Global HQ: Leuven, Belgium

• Global Reach: Active in over 150 countries

• Forbes Global 2000 Rank (2023): #72

• Employees: ~164,000

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🔍 Strategic Interest Angles for HG&W

1. Global Market Leadership – Commanding over 25% of the global beer market.

2. Brand Ecosystem Management – Navigating 500+ brands across diverse global cultures.

3. Sustainability in Brewing – Ambitious ESG initiatives and zero-waste goals.

4. Digitization and Smart Logistics – AI, blockchain, and predictive supply chains in beverage logistics.

5. Consumer Insights & Behavioral Innovation – Leveraging data science for product development and personalized marketing.

6. Economic Resilience & Emerging Market Strategy – Strong expansion in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

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🍺 AB InBev by the Numbers (2023)

• Revenue: $59.3 billion

• EBITDA: $20.1 billion

• Operating Margin: 33.9%

• Beer Volume Sold: ~530 million hectoliters

• Top Markets: USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, South Africa

• Investment in R&D (Innovation & Sustainability): $1+ billion annually

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🌍 Global Portfolio & Reach

AB InBev’s 500+ brands span premium, local, and craft categories, including:

• Global Flagships: Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois

• Local Champions: Aguila (Colombia), Skol (Brazil), Harbin (China), Hero Lager (Nigeria)

• Craft & Specialty: Goose Island, Elysian, Wicked Weed

Operations span:

• North America: Largest market by revenue

• Latin America: Brazil & Mexico as major brewing and innovation hubs

• Africa: Rapid market penetration, especially via Castle Lite and Hero Lager

• Asia-Pacific: Growth in India, China, and South Korea

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🌱 Sustainability & Future Brewing

AB InBev has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable brewing, with a bold 2025 Sustainability Goal across four pillars:

1. Climate Action – 100% of purchased electricity from renewable sources

2. Smart Agriculture – 100% of direct farmers skilled in sustainable practices

3. Water Stewardship – Measurable improvements in high-risk watersheds

4. Circular Packaging – 100% of packaging returnable or made from majority recycled content

🔬 Additional Innovations:

• Blockchain in barley traceability

• Green Logistics with electric trucks & route optimization AI

• Water-saving technologies reducing brewery usage by 50% per liter

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💡 Innovation in Business Strategy

• BEES: A B2B e-commerce platform transforming how retailers restock beer across Latin America and Africa.

• ZX Ventures: AB InBev’s innovation arm investing in the future of beverages including no/low-alcohol drinks and hard seltzers.

• Direct-to-Consumer (DTC): Growth in digital platforms enabling home deliveries, especially post-COVID.

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🔮 Future Outlook

AB InBev is betting on:

• Health-conscious drinks – Low/no alcohol beers and flavored water beverages

• Africa and Southeast Asia – Emerging markets for both growth and talent

• Green brewing – Net zero ambition by 2040

• Brand storytelling – Deeper cultural positioning through sports, music, and lifestyle