The parent company of Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch(AB InBev), has announced an acquisition of a majority stake in BeatBox, a ready-to-drink (RTD) brand, for around £368m.

This move is part of the alcohol manufacturer’s strategy to grow its portfolio of existing brands, including Bud Light and Busch Light, beyond beer.

The acquisition comes after the brand added Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, and Phorm Energy to its portfolio.

Moving forward, Brendan Whitworth, CEO of AB InBev, is confident that the transaction will complement the brand’s existing portfolio and customer reach.

Whitworth said: “We could not be more excited to welcome BeatBox, one of the fastest-growing RTD brands in the industry, to our portfolio.

“We have a proven playbook for building winning brands, and I look forward to partnering with BeatBox and embarking on their next chapter of dynamic growth together.”

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The company will acquire an 85% stake in BeatBox for the agreed transaction amount, and there is a path to 100% ownership after five years, which is based on a predetermined pricing formula.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 and is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Justin Fenchel, co-founder and CEO of BeatBox, said the decision to undergo the acquisition “felt like the right next step”.