ABI’s Venture Capital Fund Quietly Expanding the Mega-Brewer’s Reach

Anheuser-Busch InBev was consistently in the news last year as it closed its blockbuster $100 billion acquisition of SABMiller. But beyond headline-generating deals, the brewer is finding new ways to expand its reach, particularly in the craft sector. The company’s wholly-owned venture capital firm has been quietly investing in beer ratings websites, delivery services, and international craft brewers—an indication that, despite cuts to its domestic craft acquisition program, the mega-brewer is finding yet more ways to put pressure on the independent and craft beer sector.

The craft beer community was outraged when it learned that ABI, via its venture capital group ZX Ventures, quietly bought a minority stake in RateBeer, a popular beer ratings website, last...