Brazilian Beer Is Big Business

Too few know that the Anheuser-Busch InBev beer-making goliath, which is about to buy SABMiller, has many of its deepest roots in Brazil. The merger of Brahma and Antarctica led to Ambev, the biggest brewer in South America, and its 2004 merger with Belgian giant Interbrew, the biggest brewer in Europe, was fueled by Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann and the company’s drive to expand. When the conglomerate bought Anheuser-Busch in 2008, Brazilian CEO Carlos Brito became CEO of the mega-brewery and charted a course that is now leading to the takeover of Miller. In Brazil, beer is big, cutthroat business — but also refreshing. There are many options to chose — from light lagers Skol and Brahma to the more-refined Bohemia and Wals to craft options Morada and Tupiniquim — and you will find popularity varies by region, city, and person. Our advice? Try them all.