A deal that would merge the world's biggest beer companies into a megabrewer is raising concerns on Capitol Hill. Skeptical senators voiced fears on Tuesday that the deal could make it harder for craft brewers in their states to sell their brands.
Lawmakers have raised questions at a Senate hearing on the proposed $107 billion takeover by the world's largest brewer, Anheuser Busch InBev, of rival SABMiller. The combined company would control nearly a third of the global beer market.
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware says he's concerned the merger could harm Delaware-based Dogfish Head, adding: "Nobody wants to take a seat at a bar and find out that their only options are Bud and Miller."
Under the deal, the Miller brand would be sold to rival Molson Coors.
According to the Anheuser Busch website, the St. Louis-based brewer currently holds a 46 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers, the largest share among American brewers.
