TOPIC:

... unless you read Lew Bryson's blog. Lew reckons[/url:1lslykke] that AB-InBev are getting into a position where they could take over the entirety of Diageo. It would make a certain amount of sense: one less shark in the global brewing tank, a nice piece of the action in Africa where the beer market is still growing and a choice list of spirit brands to sell off to the global spirit companies who are also consolidating like mad.

Them Belgians better not get any funny ideas about Foreign Extra...

I wonder if Europe parliament would have a problem with such a merger and competition?

Doesn't really matter what the Parliament thinks. I doubt the Commission would have much of an issue either: Diageo aren't really a big beer company, and with Carlsberg, Heineken and SABMiller in the market as well it's not a major consolidation of European beer.

Is this likely to mean anything for the average beer fan in Ireland ?

If it happens, it could. Irish-brewed Foreign Extra Stout could be hard to justify to the new owners.