Global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is reportedly close to buying US-based hard-punch maker BeatBox Beverages.
The Leffe beer maker is in talks to snap up the RTD brand, people familiar with the matter told the The Wall Street Journal yesterday (18 November).
The transaction would value BeatBox at roughly $700m and a deal could be on the horizon "soon", the people said, providing negotiations do not break down.
Just Drinks has contacted AB InBev and BeatBox for comment.
Set up in 2012, Texas-headquartered BeatBox drinks are sold to all 50 states across the US in over 120,000 retailers.
The brand's full portfolio includes 20 SKUs, such as Blue Razzberry, Orange Blast, Mystic Grape, Lemon Squeeze and Sweet Heat Cinnamon.
BeatBox was launched in the UK in October through a distribution deal with Red Star Brands, which saw the brand secure a listing with 700 Morrisons stores.
That same month, Future Proof, BeatBox's parent, revealed plans to add an RTD flavoured malt drinks brand called Chillitas to its roster next year. The brand is being launched in the US from March.
In March, BeatBox received investment from former American basketball player Shaquille O’Neal. The size of the investment was not disclosed at the time.
When asked to confirm its majority shareholders last month, the business told Just Drinks it had a “diverse number of private investors” such as O’Neal and US businessman Mark Cuban.
Like many global brewing companies, Belgium-headquartered AB InBev has sought to grow its business outside beer. In January, the company announced a tie-up with sports-nutrition and supplements group 1st Phorm, through which it has launched the energy drinks brand Phorm Energy.
Within RTDs specifically, the Stella Artois brand owner most recently launched vodka ice-tea brand Skimmers in the US called Skimmers.
In 2021, AB InBev launched Nütrl Vodka Seltzer in the US. The group made its entry into the spirits market in 2019 through its purchase of Cutwater Spirits.
