US: Blackstone poised for A-B InBev theme parks buy- report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 7 October 2009

Private equity group Blackstone is poised to announce that it will acquire theme parks owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, according to reports.

Blackstone and A-B InBev are set to announce a deal by the end of this week, according to press reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for Blackstone could not be reached for comment this afternoon (7 October), while A-B InBev declined to comment on its disposals process.

It is thought the theme parks, previously operated by A-B and including SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, could fetch more than US$2bn.

A-B InBev is committed to making $7bn of assets disposals "as quickly as possible", as part of InBev's strategy to pay down loans taken out to fund its $52bn takeover of A-B late last year.

The Belgium-based brewer is also in discussions with private equity group CVC Capital over the potential sale of brewing assets in Central and Eastern Europe.

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: InBev, Anheuser-Busch