InBev and A-B. Clash of Cultures?

Today's Wall Street Journal has a number of follow-up pieces on the possible InBev takeover of Anheuser-Busch. Unfortunately, unlike yesterday's great front-page piece, none of these are accessible without a subscription. (What's up with that anyway? Why are parts of the WSJ free online and other parts are not??)

But here's the drift: One piece examines the way in which InBev's go-go, macho culture may clash with A-B's more regal, attention-to-detail approach to business. It also points out that InBev has a history of installing its own people in companies that it acquires. (I guess that's no surprise....)

Another report argues that InBev may encounter resistance from those who don't want an American icon sold to a foreign company. This piece can be read free: speculation about how Warren Buffett may react to the proposed purchase. (Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is A-B's second largest shareholder.)

The Journal also contains most of the text of a piece that originated at breakingviews.com. This one looks at corporate family dynasties, and argues that times change; sentimental saps need to get over it and move on. (Auggghhh. Help me get this knife outta my heart.)

More on the Possible Anheuser-Busch Takeover

Today's Wall Street Journal contains a fascinating piece about the possible takeover at Anheuser-Busch.

It's a marvel of reporting, if only because the reporter apparently persuaded August Busch IV to speak frankly about his family's history and his relationship to his father. But it's also newsworthy because it reports on a second battle-in-progress: a behind-the-scenes struggle between a family faction that wants to sell and the group that wants to stand fast.

Wow. I pray that history does NOT repeat itself: intra-family factional struggles like those are what brought down Pabst Brewing in the 1950s and Schlitz Brewing in the 1970s. If InBev succeeds, it probably won't end up with much: Brewing's history has shown over and over again that when family leadership is destroyed, the brewery is, too. (It's worth noting that when Miller bought Leinenkugel back in the 1980s, Miller left the Leinenkugel family in charge. It can't be an accident that twenty years into that purchase, Leinie is doin' just fine.)

This story is becoming more painful by the moment. But again, I'm a sap. I REALLY want the Busch family to remain company leaders and stewards.

As the Cosmos Tilts.....

Coming up briefly for air (although not much air; I am sick sick sick and wheezing like a broken accordion) to comment on a news wire item in the New York Times:

For months, rumors have wafted hither and yon that InBev and Anheuser-Busch would merge. But -- it looks as though it may happen. Or that InBev hopes it happens. And that, again according to this wire report, A-B will resist.

Okay, so big deal, right? One big corporation tries to take over another. Happens all the time. Blah blah blah.

Except that -- it's A-B. And having spent five years of my life living, at least mentally, with A-B and knowing that it's survived all these years with a Busch at the helm and yeah it's a huge corporation but it started life as a tiny, no-account, not-very-good brewery and its history embodies the immigrant experience and here it still is all these years later -- well........ you can hate the beer (I don't, by the way), but unless you're a soulless jerk, you've gotta admire the tenacity, smarts, and ambition of the family that made that company what it is.

And yes, I know they don't control the company, at least not on paper or in number of shares. But they are still its heart and soul

. So should this merger come to pass, I will feel as if the planet's axis has shifted. As if the cosmos has tilted just a wee bit. Ridiculous to feel that way.

But there ya go. I'm a sentimental sap. (And no, for the five millionth time, A-B did not pay me to write the beer book. Indeed, as I've said many many times, the company was actively uncooperative.) And now I'm taking my sick lungs and aching head and runny nose back to bed -- so I can rest up for the next round of travel. I'll be back in mid-June.