The $52 billion deal to create the world’s biggest brewer will result in Stella Artois and Budweiser teaming up in the same portfolio. Inbev has promised not to close any A-B breweries in the USA, but has not made any public announcements about future UK arrangements. The deal will leave it with four breweries here.

Stuart MacFarlane, president of Inbev UK & Ireland, said: “We are extremely excited about

the opportunities that the Anheuser-Busch Inbev combination will bring to our employees, consumers, wholesalers, business partners, shareholders and communities.

“We expect the UK to continue to play a vital role in the Inbev business. The beers that we brew here, our dedicated employees and loyal consumers have helped make Inbev the successful company that it is today. With this combination we expect that the next chapter in our history will be equally promising, if not more.

“While we do not foresee an immediate change to our operations as the transaction goes through the regulatory approval processes, we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.”

Anheuser’s St Louis, Missouri, base will become the headquarters for Inbev

in North America and the global home

of Budweiser.

Anheuser president and chief executive August Busch IV will join the board of the combined company headed by Inbev chief executive Carlos Brito, who said: “Together, Anheuser-Busch and Inbev will be able to accomplish much more .

“This combination will create a stronger, more competitive global company with an unrivalled worldwide brand portfolio and distribution network, with great potential for growth all over the world.”

Budweiser will become a lead global brand for the combined company alongside Stella Artois and Beck’s.