A-B, InBev strike US import deal

St Louis-based A-B will begin importing the brands in February, 2007. The brewer will be responsible for its sales, promotion and distribution in the US. The InBev brands, which had sales volumes of about 1.9 million hectoliters (or about 1.5 million barrels) in 2005, will be available to A-B's US wholesaler network where possible. InBev's Canadian brands, which include Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light, along with Brahma, are not included in the agreement. InBev USA said it will work closely with Labatt Breweries of Canada to continue to market and sell the Labatt and Brahma brands through a separate distribution network. "These well-known import brands complement our company's leading portfolio of American premium beers and enable our company to better compete. This is consistent with our stated strategy of enhancing our participation in the US high-end beer segment," said August Busch IV, president and CEO of A-B.