Anheuser-Busch Takeover Talk Shakes St. Louis

People inside Anheuser-Busch say a takeover of the St. Louis brewer by Belgium's InBev is possible — though the company has not commented on a possible deal. Talk of the company's takeover has people in St. Louis on edge. The brewer is part of the city's identity, and not just as a major employer.

When word got out that InBev was interested in Anheuser-Busch, the nail-biting commenced. Layoffs are certainly a big concern. But the company's 6,000 local employees aren't the only ones who are worried about what foreign ownership might bring.

Anheuser-Busch is not the largest employer in St. Louis, but most visitors would be forgiven for thinking so. The name is everywhere: the law school building at Washington University, the August A. Busch Conservation Area, and of course the famous ballpark, now in its third incarnation.

John Schute owns a trendy new restaurant in the shadow of the mammoth red-brick brewery. As employees trickle in for lunch, he says a takeover — if it happens — would hurt not only his business, but also the countless nonprofit organizations and charities that rely on Anheuser-Busch's largesse.

"They do so many things for so many organizations, so many people that you never even hear about," Schute said. "I can't imagine that same philosophy would be existent under a different company that's not based here."

St. Louisans have come to count on Anheuser-Busch for everything from six-figure donations to the Red Cross to free kegs of Budweiser for church picnics. Local business analyst Juli Niemann says that generosity and high visibility have earned the company intense loyalty all over town.

"We're not talking high society; we're talking the core society in St. Louis," Niemann said.

While InBev is not known for that level of charity, Niemann said, the Belgian company's Brazilian managers know a strong brand when they see it.

If there is a takeover, Niemann said, she is sure InBev would never stop selling beer under the Budweiser name. Not only is the century-old St. Louis brewery a required stop for tourists, but it's also a carefully cultivated walk-through advertisement.

"InBev will not get rid of the museum, better known as our brewery, down here," Niemann said. "It's a gorgeous brewery, and it basically conveys an image of old-fashioned quality. Secondly, you will not see the Clydesdales going, because that's an incredible image of the gates opening up and the horses coming out. That whole image of St. Louis is going to stay."

But civic leaders have concerns beyond the city's image. Mayor Francis Slay is urging stockholders to consider the local economic impact before selling their shares.

And Anheuser executives have lined up a phalanx of lawyers and investment bankers to fight what could be a hostile takeover.

But even those who want things to stay the way they've been for more than a century know that the force of globalization could overwhelm even the proud tradition of the local brewing giant.

Matt Sepic reports from member station KWMU in St. Louis.