Report: Anheuser-Busch Gearing Up for $700 Million Acquisition of BeatBox

(Photo: Beatbox)

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the brewing giant behind Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, is gearing up for a major bet on Gen Z drinking habits.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal announced that the conglomerate is nearing a deal to acquire BeatBox, per anonymous sources close to the matter. A ubiquitous sight at convenience stores and college campuses across the country, BeatBox sells both malt- and wine-based cocktails at 11.1% ABV. Best sellers include its Juicy Mango, Peach Punch and recently debuted collaboration with ex-NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, Blueberry Lemonade.

AB InBev is reportedly mulling over a $700 million acquisition of the brand — a far cry from BeatBox’s $200 million market value reported by Forbes last year.

BeatBox has charted a slow but steady ascent to the top of the ready-to-drink cocktail market. A year after launching in 2013, the brand received a sales bump thanks to a high-profile appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” in which Mark Cuban invested $1 million for a one-third stake in the company. It wasn’t until the 2020s, however, that momentum began to truly pick up. According to Beer Business Daily, Beatbox sold 2 million cases in 2022 and is currently on track to sell well over 12 million in 2025. The brand is now available at over 130,000 retail locations across all 50 states.

It’s easy to understand why AB InBev is interested in the BeatBox train. The conglomerate has made a concerted push into what it calls its “Beyond Beer” portfolio over the past few years, a roster that includes brands like NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Cutwater Spirits and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

Though beer staples like Michelob Ultra are selling remarkably well, it appears that AB InBev is eager to diversify its portfolio at a time when younger drinkers are reportedly consuming less than generations before them.