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American beverage manufacture Anheuser-Busch has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in BeatBox, a rapidly growing player in the alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage sector.

This deal underscores Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to expanding its ‘Beyond Beer’ portfolio, which includes popular brands like Cutwater Spirits and Nütrl Vodka Seltzer.

The acquisition, valued at up to approximately $490 million for an 85% stake, positions BeatBox as a significant addition to Anheuser-Busch’s offerings, which are increasingly catering to evolving consumer preferences for innovative and convenient beverage options.

The company has established itself as a top 10 RTD brand in the industry, known for its vibrant and fruit-forward 'Party Punch' flavours.

Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said: “We could not be more excited to welcome BeatBox to our portfolio. Their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation will be a strong complement to our existing capabilities.”

Whitworth highlighted the company’s proven track record in building successful brands and indicated that they look forward to collaborating with BeatBox to drive its next phase of growth.

Founded in 2011 as part of an MBA project at the University of Texas at Austin, BeatBox gained national recognition after a successful appearance on Shark Tank in 2014.

Today, it offers over 13 bold flavours in its signature resealable packaging and is sold in all 50 states across more than 140,000 retail locations. BeatBox has reported impressive growth, with over $340 million in retail sales within the last year, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate exceeding 50%.

Justin Fenchel, co-founder and CEO of BeatBox, remarked on the significance of the acquisition: “Our long-standing relationships with the Anheuser-Busch team made this partnership feel like the right next step. With Anheuser-Busch behind us, we are excited to accelerate our growth and continue bringing people together through our fun and flavourful products.”

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, with expectations to finalise the transaction in the first quarter of 2026.

Anheuser-Busch has outlined a path to achieve 100% ownership of BeatBox after five years, based on a predetermined pricing formula.