AB InBev

These include an all-cash tender offer of USD 9.15 per share by AB InBev for all the outstanding Grupo Modelo shares it does not already own and, upon completion of the tender offer, the sale of Grupo Modelo's Piedras Negras brewery and stake in Crown to Constellation.

The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in January challenging the proposed acquisition, saying that the $20.1 billion transaction would substantially lessen competition in the market for beer in the United States.

A joint venture between SABMiller and China Resources Enterprise outbid the competition and will now acquire Kingway Brewery Holdings Limited's brewer business for $864 million.

For the first time in a long time, this year's listing of the top 100 public consumer goods companies tells more good news than bad. The majority of companies realized modest revenue growth despite ongoing economic challenges; and some categories, like Food and Apparel, posted sales gains across the board. Read on to find out how your company, your partners and/or your competitors performed by comparison.

Merger and acquisitions continue to transform the beverage list year after year, but growth remains steady for the majority. Look back at how the major beverage leaders grew market share in 2011.

IBM Emptoris will continue to help the brew beverage giant raise the bar in strategic supply management.

The combined company would lead the global beer industry with roughly 400 million hectoliters of beer volume annually and 2012 estimated revenues of $47 billion. Its operations would span 24 countries with enhanced opportunities for 150,000 employees across the globe.

Settling industry rumors, Anheuser-Busch InBev noted that there is truth to the recent speculation regarding a possible combination between AB InBev and Grupo Modelo.