Anheuser-Busch InBev is expanding its presence in the ready-to-drink beverage market with a plan to acquire a controlling share of BeatBox for roughly $490 million, the company announced Friday.

Under the agreement, the Budweiser parent would take an 85% stake in the Texas-based brand, with an option to purchase the remaining shares after five years through a preset valuation formula. The transaction remains subject to regulatory review and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

The move arrives as alcohol companies navigate shifting consumer habits. Surveys showing a drop in drinking – particularly among younger adults – have raised questions about long-term demand in the United States, and broader economic uncertainty has weighed on industry sales. AB InBev reported its slowest quarterly profit growth since 2021 in late October amid softer volumes and currency pressures.

Bringing BeatBox into the fold will further expand AB InBev’s “Beyond Beer” lineup, which already includes Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, and Phorm Energy. The ready-to-drink segment has been one of the fastest-growing corners of the beverage market as companies look for opportunities outside traditional beer.

Brendan Whitworth, chief executive of Anheuser-Busch, said: “I have spent the past year getting to know Justin and the team at BeatBox, and I’m confident that their entrepreneurial spirit, their commitment to consistent innovation, and their ability to connect with their consumers will be a strong complement to our existing team and capabilities. 

“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.”

Justin Fenchel, co-founder and chief executive of BeatBox said: “When we started BeatBox in 2011, we could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. We’ve been so fortunate to build something that truly resonates with people, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. 

“Our long-standing relationships with the Anheuser-Busch team made this partnership feel like the right next step.”