It has just been 15 months since Crown Beer International profitably brought the renowned ‘Budweiser’ beer to be brewed and marketed in India, but the firm now says that it has made up its mind to withdraw itself from the joint venture it floated with Anheuser-Busch International Inc (A-BI) for this purpose. It was in March 2007 that Crown Beers International Ltd and Anheuser-Busch South Asia Holding Company Ltd collaborated to set up the Crown Beers India Ltd, a 50:50 project registered in Hyderabad.  

It took them an initial authorized share capital of Rs 125 Crore to create the Crown Beers India Ltd. A brewery having a production capacity of 500,000 hectolitre was set up to produce the ‘Budweiser’ and ‘Armstrong’ beer on the fringes of the city. The Crown Beers India Ltd thereafter launched in the Indian market the Budweiser beer and other brands in May 2007. The brands gradually made way into the west and south of the country too. Sources inform that Anheuser-Busch will buy the remaining 50 per cent ownership from Crown Beers India Ltd and the acquisition includes the joint venture’s brewery too. The terms of agreement have not been disclosed.