Top beer companies looking to merge

The world’s two largest beermakers are considering a merger that could trigger antitrust investigations across the globe.

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the maker of Budweiser and Bud Light, announced Wednesday it is looking to take over rival SABMiller. Together, the two companies produce about 30 percent of the world’s beer and control 70 percent of the U.S. market, according to reports.

{mosads}London-based SABMiller is the second-largest beermaker in the world, behind only the Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch. It brews more than 200 beers, including Miller and Coors.

SABMiller first announced the negotiations Wednesday morning.

The beermakers have not yet reached an agreement, but both acknowledged the discussions.

“AB InBev confirms that it has made an approach to SABMiller’s Board of Directors regarding a combination of the two companies,” Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. “AB InBev’s intention is to work with SABMiller’s Board toward a recommended transaction.”

“There can be no certainty that this approach will result in an offer or agreement, or as to the terms of any such agreement,” the company added.