UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

OR

For the fiscal year ended31 December 20112012

OR

OR

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Belgium

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

1,606,071,7991,606,787,543 ordinary shares

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    x  Yes    ¨   No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).*    ¨  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x                 Accelerated filer  ¨                 Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.N/A¨  Item 17    ¨  Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.N/A¨  Yes    ¨  No

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

ii

GENERAL INFORMATION

In this annual report on Form 20-F (“Form 20-F”) references to:

iii

We have prepared our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20112012 and 2010,2011, and for the three years ended 31 December 2011,2012, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). The financial information and related discussion and analysis contained in this item are presented in U.S. dollars except as otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, the financial information analysis in this Form 20-F is based on our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20112012 and 2010,2011, and for the three years ended 31 December 2011.

Prior to 1 January 2009, we used the euro as our financial statements presentation currency. Effective 1 January 2009, we changed the presentation currency of our consolidated financial statements from the euro to the U.S. dollar, reflecting the post-Anheuser-Busch acquisition profile of our revenue and cash flows, which are now primarily generated in U.S. dollars and U.S. dollar-linked currencies. We believe that this change provides greater alignment of our presentation currency with our most significant operating currency and underlying financial performance.2012. Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in this Form 20-F has been stated in U.S. dollars.

For financial periods ending after the date of consummation of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition on 18 November 2008, InBev and its subsidiaries and Anheuser-Busch and its subsidiaries have been consolidated into a common group. Therefore, our actual consolidated financial statements after the date of consummation of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition differ materially from the actual historical financial statements of InBev prior to the consummation of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition.

Following the Anheuser-Busch acquisition and the resulting increased leverage, we completed a series of assets disposals in 2009 and have utilized certain of the proceeds from such disposals to repay indebtedness incurred to finance the Anheuser-Busch acquisition. Accordingly, the scope of our business after the completion of the series of asset disposals differs materially from the scope of our business presented in this Form 20-F for 2009.

All references in this Form 20-F to (i) “euro” or “EUR” are to the common currency of the European Union, (ii) “U.S. dollar,” “$,” or “USD” are to the currency of the United States, (iii) “CAD” are to the currency of Canada, (iv) “R$”, “real” or “reais” are to the currency of Brazil, and (v) “GBP” (pounds sterling) are to the currency of the United Kingdom.

Unless otherwise specified, volumes, as used in this Form 20-F, include both beer and non-beer (primarily carbonated soft drinks) volumes. In addition, unless otherwise specified, our volumes include not only brands that we own or license, but also third-party brands that we brew or otherwise produce as a subcontractor, and third-party products that we sell through our distribution network, particularly in Western Europe. Our volume figures in this Form 20-F reflect 100% of the volumes of entities that we fully consolidate in our financial reporting and a proportionate share of the volumes of entities that we proportionately consolidate in our financial reporting, but do not include volumes of our associates or non-consolidated entities. Our pro rata share of volumes in Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Grupo Modelo”) and Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. (“Tsingtao”) (the latter of which we disposed of in June 2009) are not included in the reported volumes.

Certain monetary amounts and other figures included in this Form 20-F have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, any discrepancies in any tables between the totals and the sums of amounts listed are due to rounding.

iv

PRESENTATION OF MARKET INFORMATION

Market information (including market share, market position and industry data for our operating activities and those of our subsidiaries or of companies acquired by us) or other statements presented in this Form 20-F regarding our position (or that of companies acquired by us) relative to our competitors largely reflect the best estimates of our management. These estimates are based upon information obtained from customers, trade or business organizations and associations, other contacts within the industries in which we operate and, in some cases, upon published statistical data or information from independent third parties. Except as otherwise stated, our market share data, as well as our management’s assessment of our comparative competitive position, has been derived by comparing our sales figures for the relevant period to our management’s estimates of our competitors’ sales figures for such period, as well as upon published statistical data and information from independent third parties, and, in particular, the reports published and the information made available by, among others, the local brewers’ associations and the national statistics bureaus in the various countries in which we sell our products. The principal sources generally used include Plato Logic Limited and AC Nielsen, as well as Beer Institute and SymphonyIRI (for the United States), the Brewers Association of Canada (for Canada), CCR (for Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru), CIES (for Bolivia), AC Nielsen (for Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Russia and Ukraine), FECU (for Chile), Belgian Brewers (for Belgium), German Brewers Association (for Germany), Seema International Limited (for China), the British Beer and Pub Association (for the United Kingdom), Centraal Brouwerij Kantoor—CBK (for the Netherlands), Association des Brasseurs de France (for France), Associazione degli Industriali della Birra e del Malto (for Italy), Fédération des Brasseurs Luxembourgeois (for Luxembourg), and other local brewers’ associations. You should not rely on the market share and other market information presented herein as precise measures of market share or of other actual conditions.

v

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

There are statements in this Form 20-F, such as statements that include the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “potential” or similar expressions that are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these statements due to, among others, the risks or uncertainties listed below.See also“Item “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” for further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could impact our business.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control and are difficult to predict, that may cause actual results or developments to differ materially from any future results or developments expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others:

vi

vi

Our statements regarding financial risks, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk, commodity risk, asset price risk, equity market risk, counterparty risk, sovereign risk, inflation and deflation, are subject to uncertainty. For example, certain market and financial risk disclosures are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations. By their nature, certain of the market or financial risk disclosures are only estimates and, as a result, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that have been estimated.

We caution that the forward-looking statements in this Form 20-F are further qualified by the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Subject to our obligations under Belgian and U.S. law in relation to disclosure and ongoing information, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

vii

PART I

A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Not applicable.

B. ADVISERS

Not applicable.

C. AUDITORS

Not applicable.

A. OFFER STATISTICS

Not applicable.

B. METHOD AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected historical financial information presented below as of 31 December 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, and for the five years ended 31 December 20112012 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”).

The selected historical financial information presented in the tables below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes as of 31 December 20112012 and 20102011 and for the three years ended 31 December 20112012 have been included in this Form 20-F.

Following the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition, we completed a series of asset disposals in 2009 and have utilized certain of the proceeds from such disposals to repay indebtedness incurred to finance the Anheuser-Busch acquisition. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—History and Development of the Company” for a description of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition. Accordingly, the scope of our business after the completion of the series of asset disposals differs materially from the scope of our business presented in this Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Effective 1 January 2009, we changed the presentation currency of our consolidated financial statements from the euro to the U.S. dollar, reflecting the post-Anheuser-Busch acquisition profile of our revenue and cash flows, which are now primarily generated in U.S. dollars and U.S. dollar-linked currencies. We believe that this change provides greater alignment of our presentation currency with our most significant operating currency and underlying financial performance. Unless otherwise specified, all financial information included in this Form 20-F has been stated in U.S. dollars.

Notes:

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not Applicable.

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not Applicable.

D.	RISK FACTORS

D. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our shares involves risk. We expect to be exposed to some or all of the risks described below in our future operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described below. Any of the risk factors described below, as well as additional risks of which we are not currently aware, could also affect our business operations and have a material adverse effect on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and cause the value of our shares to decline. Moreover, if and to the extent that any of the risks described below materialize, they may occur in combination with other risks which would compound the adverse effect of such risks on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Investors in our shares and American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) could lose all or part of their investment.

You should carefully consider the following information in conjunction with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this document. The sequence in which the risk factors are presented below is not indicative of their likelihood of occurrence or of the potential magnitude of their financial consequences.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We are exposed to the risks of an economic recession, credit and capital market volatility and economic and financial crisis, which could adversely affect the demand for our products and adversely affect the market price of our shares and ADSs.

We are exposed to the risk of a global recession or a recession in one or more of our key markets, credit and capital market volatility and an economic or financial crisis, which could result in lower revenue and reduced profit. For example, recent concerns regarding the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and the level of U.S. federal debt have led to increased volatility in global credit and capital markets and may lead to reduced economic growth in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. Any such development could adversely affect demand for beer, which could result in a deterioration in our results of operations.

Beer and soft drinks consumption in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate is closely linked to general economic conditions, with levels of consumption tending to rise during periods of rising per capita income and fall during periods of declining per capita income. Additionally, per capita consumption is inversely related to the sale price of our products.

Besides moving in concert with changes in per capita income, beer consumption also increases or decreases in accordance with changes in disposable income.

Currently, disposable income is low in many of the developing countries in which we operate compared to disposable income in more developed countries. Any decrease in disposable income resulting from an increase in inflation, income taxes, the cost of living, unemployment levels, political or economic instability or other factors would likely adversely affect demand for beer. Moreover, because a significant portion of our brand portfolio consists of premium beers, our volumes and revenue may be impacted to a greater degree than those of some of our competitors, as some consumers may choose to purchase value or discount brands rather than super-premium, premium or core brands. For additional information on the categorization of the beer market and our positioning, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—2. Principal Activities and Products—Beer.”

Capital and credit market volatility, such as that experienced recently, may result in downward pressure on stock prices and credit capacity of issuers. A continuation or worsening of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on our ability to access capital, on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and on the market price of our shares and ADSs.

Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Although we report our consolidated results in U.S. dollars, in 2011,2012, we derived approximately 62.5%61.7% of our revenue from operating companies that have non-U.S. dollar functional currencies (in most cases, in the local currency of the respective operating company). Consequently, any change in exchange rates between our operating

companies’ functional currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect our consolidated income statement and balance sheet when the results of those operating companies are translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Decreases in the value of our operating companies’ functional currencies against the U.S. dollar will tend to reduce those operating companies’ contributions in dollar terms to our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to currency translation risk, we incur currency transaction risks whenever one of our operating companies enters into transactions using currencies other than their respective functional currencies, including purchase or sale transactions and the issuance or incurrence of debt. Although we have hedge policies in place to manage commodity price and foreign currency risks to protect our exposure to currencies other than our operating companies’ functional currencies, there can be no assurance that such policies will be able to successfully hedge against the effects of such foreign exchange exposure, particularly over the long-term. In particular, concerns regarding the eurozone sovereign debt crisis may result in increased volatility of euro exchange rates and make it more difficult for us to successfully hedge the effects of our euro foreign exchange exposure.

Moreover, although we seek to matchproactively address and manage the relationship between borrowing currency liabilities toand functional currency cash flows, following the Anheuser-Busch acquisition, much of our debt is denominated in U.S. dollars, while a significant portion of our cash flows are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. From time to time we enter into financial instruments to mitigate currency risk, but these transactions and any other efforts taken to better match the effective currencies of our liabilities to our cash flows could result in increased costs.

See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” and note 28 to our audited financial information as of 31 December 20112012 and 2010,2011, and for the three years ended 31 December 2011,2012, for further details on our approach to hedging commodity price and foreign currency risk.

Changes in the availability or price of raw materials, commodities and energy could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

A significant portion of our operating expenses are related to raw materials and commodities, such as malted barley, wheat, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops, flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar, sweetener, water, glass, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

The supply and price of raw materials and commodities used for the production of our products can be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including the level of crop production around the world, export demand, quality and availability of supply, speculative movements in the raw materials or commodities markets, currency fluctuations, governmental regulations and legislation affecting agriculture, trade agreements among producing and consuming nations, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, economic factors affecting growth decisions, political developments, various plant diseases and pests.

We cannot predict future availability or prices of the raw materials or commodities required for our products. The markets in certain raw materials or commodities have experienced and may in the future experience shortages and significant price fluctuations. The foregoing may affect the price and availability of ingredients that we use to manufacture our products, as well as the cans and bottles in which our products are packaged. We may not be able to increase our prices to offset these increased costs or increase our prices without suffering reduced volume, revenue and operating income. To some extent, derivative financial instruments and the terms of supply agreements can protect against increases in materials and commodities costs in the short term. However, derivatives and supply agreements expire and upon expiry are subject to renegotiation and therefore cannot provide complete protection over the medium or longer term. To the extent we fail to adequately manage the risks inherent in such volatility, including if our hedging and derivative arrangements do not effectively or completely hedge against changes in commodity prices, our results of operations may be adversely impacted. In addition, it is possible that the hedging

and derivative instruments we use to establish the purchase price for commodities in advance of the time of delivery may lock us into prices that are ultimately higher than actual market prices at the time of delivery. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” for further details on our approach to hedging commodity price risk.

The production and distribution of our products require material amounts of energy, including the consumption of oil-based products, natural gas, biomass, coal and electricity. Energy prices have been subject to significant price volatility in the recent past and may be again in the future. High energy prices over an extended period of time, as well as changes in energy taxation and regulation in certain geographies, may result in a negative effect on operating income and could potentially challenge our profitability in certain markets. There is no guarantee that we will be able to pass along increased energy costs to our customers in every case.

The production of our products also requires large amounts of water, including water consumption in the agricultural supply chain. Changes in precipitation patterns and the frequency of extreme weather events may affect our water supply and, as a result, our physical operations. Water may also be subject to price increases in certain areas, and changes in water taxation and regulation in certain geographies may result in a negative effect on operating income which could potentially challenge our profitability in certain markets. There is no guarantee that we will be able to pass along increased water costs to our customers in every case.

We may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for our future capital or refinancing needs and we face financial risks due to our level of debt and uncertain market conditions.

We may be required to raise additional funds for our future capital needs or refinance our current indebtedness through public or private financing, strategic relationships or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that the funding, if needed, will be available on attractive terms, or at all. We may be required to issue additional equity under unfavorable conditions, which could dilute our existing shareholders. See “—Risks Related to Our Shares and American Depositary Shares—Future equity issuances may dilute the holdings of current shareholders or ADS holders and could materially affect the market price of our shares or ADSs.” Furthermore, any debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.

We incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the Anheuser-Busch acquisition. We financed the Anheuser-Busch acquisition in part with a fully committed USD 45 billion senior debt facility (the “2008 Senior Facilities Agreement”) (of which USD 44 billion was ultimately drawn). On 26 February 2010, we entered into USD 17.2 billion of senior credit agreements, including a USD 1313.0 billion senior facilities agreement (the “2010 Senior Facilities Agreement”) (of which USD 10.1 billion was ultimately drawn), which, together with the proceeds from that consisted of a series of debt capital markets offerings enabled us to fully refinanceUSD 8.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility and repay the remaining debt outstanding under the 2008 Senior Facilities Agreement. Ona USD 5.0 billion three-year term facility. Effective 25 July 2011, we amended the terms of the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement to provide for an extension of the USD 88.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement. In connection with the amendment, we fully prepaid and terminated the Term FacilityUSD 5.0 billion three-year term facility under the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement. The terms of the 2010 Senior Facilities Agreement, as well as its intended use, are described under “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts.”

In connection with the publicly-announced combination with Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., we entered into a USD 14.0 billion senior facilities agreement (the “2012 Senior Facilities Agreement”) on 20 June 2012 that consisted of an 8.0 billion USD three-year term facility and a 6.0 billion USD term facility with a maximum maturity of two years from the funding date. As of 31 December 2012, we have not drawn any amounts under the 2012 Senior Facilities Agreement.

We also access the bond markets from time to time based on our financing needs. For details of bond offerings in 2012 and the first quarter of 2013, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Funding Sources—Borrowings.”

The portion of our consolidated balance sheet represented by debt will remain significantly higher as compared to our historical position.

Our continued increased level of debt could have significant consequences, including:

Further, a credit rating downgrade could have a material adverse effect on our ability to finance our ongoing operations or to refinance our existing indebtedness. In addition, if we fail to comply with the covenants or other terms of any agreements governing these facilities, our lenders will have the right to accelerate the maturity of that debt.

Following the closing of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition, priorityPriority has been given to deleveraging, with surplus free cash flow being used to reduce the level of outstanding debt. Deleveraging remains a priority and may continue to restrict the amount of dividends we are able to pay.

We have reducedIn the amountabsence of appropriate external growth opportunities and subject to maintaining an optimal capital structure, increasing cash flow generation should translate into increasing cash returned to shareholders, with dividends paidbeing a more predictable growing flow, balanced with share buy-back programs. Our objective is to achieve a long term dividend yield in line with other fast moving consumer goods companies, with low volatility consistent with the non-cyclical nature of our business. In the event of a significant acquisition in the first years after the closing of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition andfuture, we may continue to restrict temporarily the amount of dividends we will pay as a result of our level of debtin order to prioritize deleveraging and our strategy to reduce our leverage.maintain an optimal capital structure.

Our ability to repay and renegotiate our outstanding indebtedness will depend upon market conditions. In 2011,recent years, the global credit markets experienced significant price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions that caused the cost of debt financings to fluctuate considerably. The markets also put downward pressure on stock prices and credit capacity for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors reduced, and in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers. If such uncertain conditions persist, our costs could increase beyond what is anticipated. Such costs could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, results of operations or both. In addition, an inability to refinance all or a substantial amount of our debt obligations when they become due, or more generally a failure to raise additional equity capital or debt financing or to realize proceeds from asset sales when needed, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our results could be negatively affected by increasing interest rates.

We use issuances of debt and bank borrowings as a source of funding and following the Anheuser-Busch acquisition, ourwe carry a significant level of debt has increased significantly.debt. Nevertheless, pursuant to our capital structure policy, we aim to optimize shareholder value through cash flow distribution to us from our subsidiaries, while maintaining an investment-grade rating and minimizing cash and investments with a return below our weighted average cost of capital.

Some of the debt we have issued or incurred was issued or incurred at variable interest rates, which exposes us to changes in such interest rates. As of 31 December 2011,2012, after certain hedging and fair value adjustments, USD 9.95.7 billion, or 24.5%12.9%, of our interest-bearing financial liabilities (which include loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts) bore a variable interest rate, while USD 30.338.6 billion, or 75.5%87.1%, bore a fixed interest rate. Moreover, a significant part of our external debt is denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies, including the euro, pounds sterling, Brazilian real and the Canadian dollar. Although we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest rate risk, and also enter into cross-currency interest rate swap agreements to manage both our foreign currency risk and interest-rate risk on interest-bearing financial liabilities, there can be no assurance that such instruments will be successful in reducing the risks inherent in exposures to interest rate fluctuations. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Market Risk, Hedging and Financial Instruments” and note 28 to our audited financial statements as of 31 December 20112012 and 2010,2011, and for the three years ended 31 December 2011,2012, for further details on our approach to foreign currency and interest-rate risk.

Certain of our operations depend on independent distributors or wholesalers to sell our products.

Certain of our operations are dependent on government-controlled or privately owned but independent wholesale distributors for distribution of our products for resale to retail outlets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—7. Distribution of Products” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” for further information in this respect. There can be no assurance as to the financial affairs of such distributors or that these distributors, who often act both for us and our competitors, will not give our competitors’ products higher priority, thereby reducing their efforts to sell our products.

In the United States, for instance, we sell substantially all of our beer to independent wholesalers for distribution to retailers and ultimately consumers. As independent companies, wholesalers make their own business decisions that may not always align themselves with our interests. If our wholesalers do not effectively distribute our products, our financial results could be adversely affected.

In addition, contractual restrictions and the regulatory environment of many markets may make it very difficult to change distributors in a number of markets. In certain cases, poor performance by a distributor or wholesaler is not a sufficient reason for replacement. Our consequent inability to replace unproductive or inefficient distributors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

There may be changes in legislation or interpretation of legislation by regulators or courts that may prohibit or reduce the ability of brewers to own wholesalers and distributors.

In certain countries we have interests in wholesalers and distributors, and such interests may be prohibited if legislation or interpretation of legislation changes. For example, pursuant to recent Illinois legislation effective as of May 2011, only very small brewers may self-distribute beer. Although Illinois regulatory authorities have not determined whether the new law would prohibit us from holding a minority ownership stake in a distributor, anyAny limitation imposed on our ability to purchase or own any interest in distributors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we do not successfully comply with laws and regulations designed to combat governmental corruption in countries in which we sell our products, we could become subject to fines, penalties or other regulatory sanctions and our sales and profitability could suffer.

We operate our business and market our products in certain countries that are less developed, have less stability in legal systems and financial markets, and are potentially more corrupt business environments than Europe and the United States, and therefore present greater political, economic and operational risks. Although we are committed to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner in compliance with local and international statutory requirements and standards applicable to our business, there is a risk that the employees or representatives of our subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, joint-ventures or other business interests may take actions that violate applicable laws and regulations that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business, including laws relating to the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act. In respect of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, we have been informed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is conducting an investigation into the relationships of our affiliates in India, including our non-consolidated Indian joint venture. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.”

Competition could lead to a reduction of our margins, increase costs and adversely affect our profitability.

We compete with both brewers and other drinks companies and our products compete with other beverages. Globally, brewers, as well as other players in the beverage industry, compete mainly on the basis of brand image, price, quality, distribution networks and customer service. Consolidation has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of our competitors in some of the markets in which we operate, and competition is expected to increase further as the trend towards consolidation among companies in the beverage industry continues. Consolidation activity has also increased along our distribution channels – in the case of both on-trade points of sale, such as pub companies, and off-trade retailers, such as supermarkets. Such consolidation could increase the purchasing power of players in our distribution channels.

Competition may divert consumers and customers from our products. Competition in our various markets and increased purchasing power of players in our distribution channels could cause us to reduce pricing, increase capital investment, increase marketing and other expenditures, prevent us from increasing prices to recover higher costs, and thereby cause us to reduce margins or lose market share. Moreover, because we rely on only a limited number of brands across a limited number of markets for the majority of our sales, any dilution of our brands as a result of competitive trends could also lead to a significant erosion of our profitability. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Innovation faces inherent risks, and the new products we introduce may not be successful, while competitors may be able to respond quicker than we can to emerging trends, such as the increasing consumer preference for “craft beers” produced by smaller microbreweries.

Additionally, the absence of level playing fields in some markets and the lack of transparency, or even certain unfair or illegal practices, such as tax evasion and corruption, may skew the competitive environment in favor of our competitors, with material adverse effects on our profitability or ability to operate.

The ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash upstream may be subject to various conditions and limitations.

To a large extent, we are organized as a holding company and our operations are carried out through subsidiaries. Our domestic and foreign subsidiaries’ and affiliated companies’ ability to upstream or distribute cash

(to (to be used, among other things, to meet our financial obligations) through dividends, intercompany advances, management fees and other payments is, to a large extent, dependent on the availability of cash flows at the level of such domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies and may be restricted by applicable laws and accounting principles. In particular, 41.8%41.6% (USD 16.316.5 billion) of our total revenue of USD 39.039.8 billion in 20112012 came from our Brazilian listed subsidiary Companhia de Bebidas das Américas—Ambev (“Ambev”), which is not wholly-ownedwholly owned and is listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Certain of our equity investments (such as our investment in Grupo Modelo S.A.B. de C.V.) contribute cash flow to us through dividend payments but are not controlled by us, and our receipt of dividend payments from these entities is therefore outside our control. In addition to the above, some of our subsidiaries are subject to laws restricting their ability to pay dividends or the amount of dividends they may pay. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Transfers from Subsidiaries” and “Item 10. Additional Information—F. Dividends and Paying Agents” for further information in this respect.

If we are not able to obtain sufficient cash flows from our domestic and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies, this could adversely impact our ability to pay the substantially increased debt resulting from the Anheuser-Busch acquisition or our ability to pay dividends, and otherwise negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

An inability to reduce costs could affect profitability.

Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to be efficient in producing, advertising and selling our products and services. We are pursuing a number of initiatives to improve operational efficiency. Failure to generate significant cost savings and margin improvement through these initiatives could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to achieve our financial goals.

We are exposed to emerging market risks.risks, including the risks of devaluation, nationalization and inflation.

A substantial proportion of our operations, representing approximately 47.1%47.7% of our 20112012 revenue, are carried out in emerging markets, including Brazil (which represents 28.7%27.1% of our revenue), Argentina, China, Russia, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Ukraine. We also have equity investments in brewers in China and Mexico.

Our operations and equity investments in these markets are subject to the customary risks of operating in developing countries, which include potential political and economic uncertainty, application of exchange controls,

nationalization or expropriation, crime and lack of law enforcement, political insurrection, external interference, financial risks, changes in government policy, political and economic changes, changes in the relations between the countries, actions of governmental authorities affecting trade and foreign investment, regulations on repatriation of funds, interpretation and application of local laws and regulations, enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights, local labor conditions and regulations. Such factors could affect our results by causing interruptions to our operations or by increasing the costs of operating in those countries or by limiting our ability to repatriate profits from those countries. Financial risks of operating in emerging markets also include risks of liquidity, inflation (for example, Brazil, Argentina and Russia have periodically experienced extremely high rates of inflation), devaluation (for example, the Brazilian and Argentine currencies have been devalued frequently during the last four decades), price volatility, currency convertibility and country default. These various factors could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to our geographic mix, these factors could affect us more than our competitors with less exposure to emerging markets, and any general decline in emerging markets as a whole could impact us disproportionately compared to our competitors.

Economic and political events in Argentina may adversely affect our Argentina operations.

We indirectly own 100% of the total share capital of a holding company with operating subsidiaries in Argentina and other South American countries, the net revenues of which corresponded to 4.9% of our total revenue for the year ended 31 December 2012. In the past, the Argentine economic and social situation has rapidly deteriorated, and may quickly deteriorate in the future; we cannot assure you that the Argentine economy will not rapidly deteriorate as it has in the past. The political instability, fluctuations in the economy, governmental actions concerning the economy of Argentina, the devaluation of the Argentine peso, inflation and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions in Argentina could indeed have a material adverse effect on our Latin American South operations, their financial condition and their results. Also, if the economic or political situation in Argentina deteriorates, our Latin American South operations may be subject to additional restrictions under new foreign exchange, export repatriation or expropriation regimes that could adversely affect our liquidity and operations, and our ability to access such funds from Argentina.

We may not be able to successfully carry out further acquisitions and business integrations or restructuring.

We have made in the past and may make in the future acquisitions of, investments in, and joint ventureventures and similar arrangements with, other companies and businesses. We cannot make such further transactions unless we can identify suitable candidates and agree on the terms with them. Such transactions also involve a number of risks. We may not be able to successfully complete such transactions.transactions including the proposed combination with Grupo Modelo announced on 29 June 2012. After completion of a transaction, we may be required to integrate the acquired companies, businesses or operations into our existing operations. In addition, such transactions may involve the assumption of certain actual or potential, known or unknown liabilities, which may

have a potential impact on our financial risk profile. Further, the price we may pay in any future transaction may prove to be too high as a result of various factors, such as a significant change in market conditions, the limited opportunity to conduct due diligence prior to a purchase or unexpected changes in the acquired business.

Ourproposed combination with Grupo Modelo has exposed us to risks related to the closing of the transaction, significant costs related to the combination and potential difficulties in integration of Grupo Modelo into our existing operations and the extraction of synergies from the transaction.

On 29 June 2012, we announced an agreement with Grupo Modelo agreeing to acquire the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo that we do not already own for USD 9.15 per share in cash in a transaction valued at USD 20.1 billion (the “combination with Grupo Modelo”). In a related transaction, Constellation Brands, Inc. (“Constellation”) agreed to purchase Grupo Modelo’s 50% stake in Crown Imports LLC (“Crown Imports”), the joint venture that imports and markets Grupo Modelo’s brands in the United States, for USD 1.85 billion, giving Constellation 100% ownership and control of Crown Imports.

Process

The combination of us and Grupo Modelo will be completed through a series of steps that will simplify Grupo Modelo’s corporate structure, followed by an all-cash tender offer by us for all outstanding Grupo Modelo shares that we will not own at that time. Following the combination, two Grupo Modelo board members will join our Board of Directors, and they have committed, only if they tender their shares, to invest an aggregate amount of USD 1.5 billion of their proceeds from the tender offer into our shares to be delivered within five years via a deferred share instrument. Such investment will happen at the share price of USD 65.

Antitrust and other regulatory approvals

Completion of the combination with Grupo Modelo has been conditioned upon, among other things, antitrust approval from U.S. and Mexican authorities. We received approval from Mexican authorities. In July 2012, we and Grupo Modelo filed notification and report forms under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”). In August 2012, we received a request for additional information from the DOJ. In January 2013, the DOJ brought a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed combination between us and Grupo Modelo.

In February 2013, we announced a revised agreement with Constellation valued at USD 2.9 billion in which Constellation will acquire Grupo Modelo’s Piedras Negras brewery in Mexico, and Crown Imports will be granted a perpetual and exclusive license for the Modelo brands produced in Mexico and distributed by Crown Imports in the United States. As previously announced, Constellation will also acquire Grupo Modelo’s 50% stake in Crown Imports for USD 1.85 billion. The terms of our combination with Grupo Modelo, announced in June 2012, are unchanged. Completion of the sale of Piedras Negras has been conditioned upon, among other things, any antitrust clearance from U.S. and Mexican authorities that may be required.

We, Grupo Modelo, Constellation and Crown Imports are engaged in discussions with the DOJ seeking to resolve the DOJ’s litigation challenging the combination with Grupo Modelo. In connection with such discussions, the parties and the DOJ jointly approached the court to request a stay of all litigation proceedings until 9 April 2013, and the court approved the request. There can be no assurance that the discussions will be successful.

The terms and conditions of any authorizations, approvals and/or clearances still to be obtained from the DOJ or any other governmental authority prior to or following the consummation of the combination with Grupo Modelo may require, among other things, the divestiture of additional assets or businesses to third parties, changes to our operations, restrictions on our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions following the combination with Grupo Modelo, or other commitments to regulatory authorities regarding ongoing operations. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business and diminish substantially the synergies and the advantages which we expect to achieve from the combination with Grupo Modelo. Further, if the parties and the DOJ are unable to resolve the litigation through settlement, the court could enjoin the parties from completing the combination with Grupo Modelo. Finally, any delay in obtaining any authorizations, approvals and/or clearance in any of the jurisdictions pending may require us or Grupo Modelo not to consummate the combination or integrate our businesses and operations in these jurisdictions.

Other legal challenges

We are now and may in the future be party to legal proceedings and claims related to the combination with Grupo Modelo. For example, certain private parties have brought a legal challenge to the transactions, and the court in this private action could enjoin the parties from completing the combination with Grupo Modelo or could further delay it. We intend to defend against it vigorously. For further information, see “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.”

Financing

We have obtained financing for the combination with Grupo Modelo with a USD 14.0 billion senior facilities agreement dated 20 June 2012 that consists of an 8.0 billion USD three-year term facility and a 6.0 billion USD term facility with a maximum maturity of two years from the funding date. We have also raised USD 7.5 billion in senior unsecured bonds in July 2012 and EUR 2.25 billion in euro medium-term notes in September 2012 to support the combination with Grupo Modelo. In addition, in January 2013, we issued a further USD 4.0 billion in senior unsecured bonds, a further EUR 500 million in euro medium-term notes and CAD 1.2 billion in a private offering in Canada. For further information, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings.”

The increased level of debt could have significant consequences, including increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting our ability to fund future working capital and capital expenditures, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities or to otherwise realize the value of our

assets and opportunities fully because of the need to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments of interest and principal on our debt or to comply with any restrictive terms of our debt, limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in which we operate, impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who have less debt.

In addition, if we fail to comply with the covenants or other terms of any agreements governing our facilities or bonds, our lenders may have the right to accelerate the maturity of that debt. Our ability to repay our outstanding indebtedness will depend upon market conditions, and unfavorable conditions could increase costs beyond what is anticipated. Such costs could have a material adverse impact on cash flows or our results of operations or both. In addition, an inability to refinance all or a substantial amount of these debt obligations when they become due would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business—We may not be able to obtain the necessary funding for our future capital or refinancing needs and we face financial risks due to our level of debt and uncertain market conditions.”

Downgrade

Ratings agencies may downgrade our credit ratings below their current levels as a result of the combination with Grupo Modelo and the incurrence of the related financial indebtedness. A downgrading of our credit rating below investment grade may result in the need to refinance some of our outstanding indebtedness or the acceleration of existing indebtedness. Any credit rating downgrade could materially adversely affect our ability to finance our ongoing operations, and our ability to refinance the debt incurred to fund the combination with Grupo Modelo, including by increasing our cost of borrowing and significantly harming our financial condition, results of operations and profitability, including our ability to refinance our other existing indebtedness.

Synergy

Achieving the advantages of the combination with Grupo Modelo will depend partly on the rapid and efficient combination of our activities with Grupo Modelo, two companies of considerable size which functioned independently and were incorporated in different countries, with geographically dispersed operations, and with different business cultures and compensation structures.

The integration process involves inherent costs and uncertainties and there is no assurance that the combination with Grupo Modelo will achieve the anticipated business growth opportunities, cost savings, increased profits, synergies and other benefits we anticipate. We believe that we will be able to achieve annual synergies of approximately USD 1 billion, and we believe the consideration paid for the combination with Grupo Modelo is justified, in part, by the business growth opportunities, cost savings, increased profits, synergies, revenue benefits and other benefits Grupo Modelo expects to achieve by combining its operations with ours. However, these expected business growth opportunities, cost savings, increased profits, synergies and other benefits may not develop, and the assumptions upon which we determined the consideration paid for the combination with Grupo Modelo may prove to be incorrect.

Implementation of the combination with Grupo Modelo and the successful integration of Grupo Modelo will also require a significant amount of management time and, thus, may affect or impair management’s ability to run the business effectively during the period of the combination with Grupo Modelo and integration. In addition, we may not have, or be able to retain, employees with the appropriate skill sets for the tasks associated with our integration plan, which could adversely affect the integration of Grupo Modelo.

Although the estimated expense savings and revenue synergies contemplated by the combination with Grupo Modelo are significant, there can be no assurance that we will realize these benefits in the time expected or at all. Any failures, material delays or unexpected costs of the integration process could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

An impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

As a result of the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition, we recognized USD 32.9 billion of goodwill on our balance sheet and recorded several brands from the Anheuser-Busch business (including brands in the Budweiser brand family, the Michelob brand family, the Busch brand family and the Natural brand family) as intangible assets with indefinite life with a fair value of USD 21.4 billion. As of 31 December 2011,2012, goodwill amounted to USD 51.351.8 billion and intangible assets with indefinite life amounted to USD 22.523.0 billion. If our business does not develop as expected, impairment charges may be incurred in the future that could be significant and that could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on the reputation of our brands.

Our success depends on our ability to maintain and enhance the image and reputation of our existing products and to develop a favorable image and reputation for new products. The image and reputation of our products may be reduced in the future; concerns about product quality, even when unfounded, could tarnish the image and reputation of our products. For example, in late February 2013, lawsuits were filed against us (which we will vigorously defend against) relating to the alcohol-by-volume in several of our beer brands that allege that the products contain lower alcohol-by-volume levels than what is stated on the labels. An event, or series of events, that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. Restoring the image and reputation of our products may be costly and may not be possible.

Moreover, our marketing efforts are subject to restrictions on the permissible advertising style, media and messages used. In a number of countries, for example, television is a prohibited medium for advertising alcoholic beverage products, and in other countries, television advertising, while permitted, is carefully regulated. For example, the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal) in 2012 filed suits against the Brazilian Government to increase the restriction of beer advertising in Brazil. Any additional restrictions in such countries, or the introduction of similar restrictions in other countries, may constrain our brand building potential and thus reduce the value of our brands and related revenues.

Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.

Media coverage, and publicity generally, can exert significant influence on consumer behavior and actions. If the social acceptability of beer or soft drinks were to decline significantly, sales of our products could materially decrease. In recent years, there has been increased public and political attention directed at the alcoholic beverage and food and soft drink industries. This attention is the result of health concerns related to the harmful use of alcohol, including drunk driving, binge drinkingexcessive, abusive and underage drinking, as well as health concerns such as obesity and diabetes related to the overconsumption of food and soft-drinks.soft drinks. Negative publicity regarding alcohol or soft drink consumption, publication of studies that indicate a significant health risk from consumption of alcohol or soft drinks, or changes in consumer perceptions in relation to alcohol or soft drinks generally could adversely affect the sale and consumption of our products and could harm our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition as consumers and customers change their purchasing patterns. For example, the United Nations’ High Level Meeting (HLM) onGlobal Monitoring Framework (GMF) for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) approved by the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2011January 2013 raised the profile of health risks related to tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. The United Nations’ NCD DeclarationAfter a year-long discussion and numerous consultations, the GMF for NCDs calls for nations to implement policies and strategies to reduce risk factors for NCDs. Similarly,at least a 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol, as appropriate, within national contexts. For example, the Russian and Ukrainian authorities are considering legislative changes linked to concerns about the harmful use of alcohol. Russia adopted bans on the sale of beer in kiosks and the sale of beer between the hours of 11:00 pm and 8:00 am, a ban on beer advertisements on television, andinternet, printed media, radio and certain outdoor beer advertisements, limitations on print advertisements and a further increase in excise taxes by 20%25%, 25%20% and 20%11% in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 20142015, respectively. Other legislative proposals discussed in Russia include a ban on PET packaging, stricter regulations on the ingredients and definition of “beer” and new labelling and health warning requirements. For 2013, the excise tax rate was increased in the Ukraine is considering a ban onfrom UAH 0.81/liter to UAH 0.87/liter, and the government continues to look at proposals such as banning the sale of beer in kiosks a ban onand other points of sale close to social institutions, banning beer advertising implementation of permits for the consumption of beer with consumption limited to licensed premises and in private accommodations and a further increase ofincreasing excise and other beer related taxes, such as taxes on the development of viticulture, horticulture and hop-growing.taxes. Concerns over alcohol abuse and underage drinking have also caused governments, including those in Argentina, Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, to consider measures such as increased taxation, legislation regardingimplementation of minimum alcohol pricing regimes or other restrictions upon our commercial freedoms.

Key brand names are used by us, our subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and are licensed to third-party brewers. To the extent that we, one of our subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures or licensees are subject to negative publicity, and the negative publicity causes consumers and customers to change their purchasing patterns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. As we continue to expand our operations into emerging and growth markets, there is a greater risk that we may be subject to negative publicity, in particular in relation to labor rights and local work conditions. Negative publicity that materially damages the reputation of one or more of our brands could have an adverse effect on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Demand for our products may be adversely affected by changes in consumer preferences and tastes.

We depend on our ability to satisfy consumer preferences and tastes. Consumer preferences and tastes can change in unpredictable ways due to a variety of factors, such as changes in demographics, consumer health and wellness, concerns about obesity or alcohol consumption, product attributes and ingredients, changes in travel, vacation or leisure activity patterns, weather, negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against us or comparable companies or a downturn in economic conditions. Consumers also may begin to prefer the products of competitors or may generally reduce their demand for products in the category. Failure by us to anticipate or respond adequately either to changes in consumer preferences and tastes or to developments in new forms of media and marketing could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Seasonal consumption cycles and adverse weather conditions may result in fluctuations in demand for our products.

Seasonal consumption cycles and adverse weather conditions in the markets in which we operate may have an impact on our operations. This is particularly true in the summer months, when unseasonably cool or wet weather can affect sales volumes. Demand for beer is normally more depressed in our major markets in the Northern Hemisphere during the first and fourth quarters of each year, and our consolidated net revenue from those markets is therefore normally lower during this time. Although this risk is somewhat mitigated by our relatively balanced footprint in both hemispheres, we are relatively more exposed to the markets in the Northern Hemisphere than to the markets in the Southern Hemisphere, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Climate change, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business or operations, and water scarcity or poor quality could negatively impact our production costs and capacity.

There is a growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain agricultural commodities that are necessary for our products, such as barley, hops, sugar and corn. In addition, public expectations for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could result in increased energy, transportation and raw material costs and may require us to make additional investments in facilities and equipment due to increased regulatory pressures. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term, material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

We also face water scarcity risks. The availability of clean water is a limited resource in many parts of the world, facing unprecedented challenges from climate change and the resulting change in precipitation patterns and frequency of extreme weather, overexploitation, increasing pollution, and poor water management. As demand for water continues to increase around the world, and as water becomes scarcer and the quality of available water deteriorates, we may be affected by increasing production costs or capacity constraints, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

If any of our products is defective or found to contain contaminants, we may be subject to product recalls or other liabilities.

We take precautions to ensure that our beverage products are free from contaminants and that our packaging materials (such as bottles, crowns, cans and other containers) are free of defects. Such precautions include quality-control programs and various technologies for primary materials, the production process and our final products. We have established procedures to correct problems detected.

In the event that contamination or a defect does occur in the future, it may lead to business interruptions, product recalls or liability, each of which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Although we maintain insurance policies against certain product liability (but not product recall) risks, we may not be able to enforce our rights in respect of these policies, and, in the event that contamination or a defect occurs, any amounts that we recover may not be sufficient to offset any damage we may suffer, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights.

Our future success depends significantly on our ability to protect our current and future brands and products and to defend our intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, domain names, trade secrets and know-how. We have been granted numerous trademark registrations covering our brands and products and have filed, and expect to continue to file, trademark and patent applications seeking to protect newly developed brands and products. We cannot be sure that trademark and patent registrations will be issued with respect to any of our applications. There is also a risk that we could, by omission, fail to renew a trademark or patent on a timely basis or that our competitors will challenge, invalidate or circumvent any existing or future trademarks and patents issued to, or licensed by, us.

Although we have taken appropriate action to protect our portfolio of intellectual property rights (including trademark registration and domain names), we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will be sufficient or that third parties will not infringe upon or misappropriate proprietary rights. Moreover, some of the countries in which we operate offer less efficient intellectual property protection than is available in Europe or the United States. If we are unable to protect our proprietary rights against infringement or misappropriation, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, and in particular, on our ability to develop our business.

We rely on key third parties, including key suppliers, and the termination or modification of the arrangements with such third parties could negatively affect our business.

We rely on key third-party suppliers, including third-party suppliers for a range of raw materials for beer and soft drinks such as malted barley, corn grits, corn syrup, rice, hops, water, flavored concentrate, fruit concentrate, sugar and sweetener, and for packaging material, such as glass, PET and aluminum bottles, aluminum or steel cans and kegs, labels, plastic crates, metal and plastic closures, folding cartons, cardboard products and plastic films.

We seek to limit our exposure to market fluctuations in these supplies by entering into medium- and long-term fixed-price arrangements. We have a limited number of suppliers of aluminum cans and glass bottles. Consolidation of the aluminum can industry, and glass bottle industry in certain markets in which we operate has reduced local supply alternatives and increased the risk of disruption to aluminum can, and glass bottle supplies. Although we generally have other suppliers of raw materials and packaging materials, the termination of or material change to arrangements with certain key suppliers, disagreements with suppliers as to payment or other terms, or the failure of a key supplier to meet our contractual obligations or otherwise deliver materials consistent with current usage would or may require us to make purchases from alternative suppliers, in each case at potentially higher prices than those agreed with this supplier, and this could have a material impact on our production, distribution and sale of beer and soft drinks and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

A number of our key brand names are both licensed to third-party brewers and used by companies over which we do not have control. However, we monitor brewing quality to ensure our high standards. For instance, our global brand Stella Artois is licensed to third parties in Algeria, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, New Zealand, and Romania, and another global brand, Beck’s, is licensed to third parties in Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Tunisia and Montenegro. Finally, Budweiser is licensed to third parties in, amongst other countries, Argentina, India, Japan, South Korea, Panama, Italy, Ireland and Spain. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—8. Licensing” for more information in this respect. To the extent that one of these key brand names or our joint ventures, investments in companies in which we do not own a controlling interest and our licensees are subject to negative publicity, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

For certain packaging supplies and raw materials, we rely on a small number of important suppliers. If these suppliers became unable to continue to meet our requirements, and we are unable to develop alternative sources of supply, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected.

The consolidation of retailers may adversely affect us.

The retail industry in Europe and in othermany countries in which we operate continues to consolidate. Large retailers may seek to improve profitability and sales by asking for lower prices or increased trade spending. Although retailers purchase products from wholesalers (including in a number of markets, from our wholesaler operations), rather than directly from us, the efforts of retailers could result in reduced profitability for the beer industry as a whole and indirectly adversely affect our financial results.

We could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, and/or violations of or liabilities under, various regulations that govern our operations.

Our business is highly regulated in many of the countries in which we or our licensed third partners operate. The regulations adopted by the authorities in these countries govern many parts of our operations, including brewing, marketing and advertising (in particular to avoid exposureensure our advertising is directed to persons under theindividuals of legal drinking age), transportation, distributor relationships and sales. We may be subject to claims that we have not complied with existing laws and regulations, which could result in fines, penalties or loss of operating licenses. We are also routinely subject to new or modified laws and regulations with which we must comply in order to avoid claims, fines and other penalties, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. We may also be subject to laws and regulations aimed at reducing the availability of beer products in some of our markets to address alcohol abuse and other social issues. There can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, or that such regulation will not interfere with our beer or soft drinks businesses.

The level of regulation to which our businesses are subject can be affected by changes in the public perception of beer and soft drinks consumption. In recent years, there has been increased social and political attention in certain countries directed at the alcoholic beverage and soft drinks industries, and governmental bodies may respond to any public criticism by implementing further regulatory restrictions on advertising, opening hours, drinking ages or marketing activities (including the marketing or selling of beer at sporting events). Such public concern and any resulting restrictions may cause the social acceptability of beer or soft drinks to decline significantly and consumption trends to shift away from these products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For common regulations and restrictions on us, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—11. Regulations Affecting Our Business” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—A. Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations—Governmental Regulations.”

We are exposed to the risk of litigation.

We are now and may in the future be party to legal proceedings and claims and significant damages may be asserted against us. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—H. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies—Contingencies” and note 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 20112012 and 2010,2011, and for the three years ended 31 December 20112012 for a description of certain material contingencies which we believe are reasonably possible (but not probable) to be realized. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, it is possible that we might incur liabilities as a consequence of the proceedings and claims brought against us, including those that are not currently believed by us to be reasonably possible.

Moreover, companies in the alcoholic beverage industry are, from time to time, exposed to collective suits (class actions) or other litigation relating to alcohol advertising, alcohol abuse problems or health consequences from the excessive consumption of alcohol. As an illustration, certain beer and alcoholic beverage producers from Brazil, Canada, Europe and the United States have been involved in class actions and other litigation seeking damages for, among other things, alleged marketing of alcoholic beverages to underage consumers. If any of these types of litigation were to result in fines, damages or reputational damage for us, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings” for additional information on litigation matters.

The beer and beverage industry may be subject to adverse changes in taxation.

Taxation on our beer and non-beer products in the countries in which we operate is comprised of different taxes specific to each jurisdiction, such as excise and other indirect taxes. In many jurisdictions, such excise and other indirect taxes make up a large proportion of the cost of beer charged to customers. Increases in excise and other indirect taxes applicable to our products either on an absolute basis or relative to the levels applicable to other beverages tend to adversely affect our revenue or margins, both by reducing overall consumption of our products and by encouraging consumers to switch to other categories of beverages. These increases also adversely affect the affordability of our products and our profitability. Recently, Bolivia,In 2012, Brazil, France, Russia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom and Ukraine have all adopted proposalslegislation to increase beer excise taxes.

On 1 January 2010, Russia implemented an increase in the excise tax on regular-strength beer by 200% and, in 2009, Ukraine almost doubled the excise taxes on all beers. In May 2010, the excise tax in Ukraine was further increased by 23% and the water tax by 400%. AsSince that time, taxes continue to increase. For example, as of 1 January 2011, the water tax in Ukraine further increased by 65%. In late 2011,2012, the Russian Parliament again passed a law to index excise taxes from 2012 to 2014. Exciseby 25%, 20% and 11% in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and Ukraine also increased its excise tax on beer will be at 12 rubles per litre in 2012 and increase by 3 rubles in each of 2013 and 2014.beer. These taxestax increases have resulted in significant price increases in both countries, and continue to cause pressures onreduce our sales of beer. See “—Negative publicity, perceived health risks and associated government regulation may harm our business.”

Similarly,In the United States, the brewing industry is subject to significant taxation. The U.S. federal government currently levies an excise tax of USD 18 per barrel (equivalent to 1.1734776 hectoliters) on beer sold for consumption in the United States. All states also levy excise and/or sales taxes on alcoholic beverages. From time to time, there are proposals to increase these taxes, and as a result of the current economic climate and the fiscal difficulties of some states, these proposals have become more prevalent. In 2011, the State of Connecticut passed a 20% increase across all alcohol products, as part of an overall tax bill that raised taxes across a multitude of categories, including an increase in the sales tax rate, hotels, rental cars, cosmetic surgery and others. In addition, although no legislation has been introduced to this effect, there have been proposals to increase federal excisefuture these taxes on alcohol to raise revenue to pay the costs of health care proposals.could increase. Increases in excise taxes on alcohol could adversely affect our United States business and its profitability.

Minimum pricing is another form of fiscal regulation that can affect our company’s profitability. In 2012, the Scottish Government legislated to introduce a minimum unit price for alcoholic beverages. However, the implementation faces a delay, as the measure has been challenged in the Scottish courts and at the EU level. In November 2012, the UK Government published for consultation its own proposal to introduce a minimum unit price for alcoholic beverages, and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are also considering introducing a cross-border minimum unit price for alcoholic beverages.

Proposals to increase excise or other indirect taxes, including legislation regarding minimum alcohol pricing, may result from the current economic climate and may also be influenced by changes in the public perception regarding the consumption of alcohol and soft drinks. To the extent that the effect of the tax reforms described above or other proposed changes to excise and other indirect duties in the countries in which we operate is to increase the total burden of indirect taxation on our products, the results of our operations in those countries could be adversely affected.

In addition to excise and other indirect duties, we are subject to income and other taxes in the countries in which we operate. There can be no assurance that the operations of our breweries and other facilities will not become subject to increased taxation by national, local or foreign authorities or that we and our subsidiaries will not become subject to higher corporate income tax rates or to new or modified taxation regulations and requirements. Any such increases or changes in taxation would tend to adversely impact our results of operations.

We are exposed to antitrust and competition laws in certain jurisdictions and the risk of changes in such laws or in the interpretation and enforcement of existing antitrust and competition laws.

We are subject to antitrust and competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and in a number of jurisdictions we produce and/or sell a significant portion of the beer consumed. Consequently, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny in certain of these jurisdictions. For instance, our Brazilian listed subsidiary, Ambev, has been subject to monitoring by antitrust authorities in Brazil (see “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Ambev and its Subsidiaries—Antitrust Matters”). There can be no assurance that the introduction of new competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, the interpretation of existing antitrust or competition laws or the enforcement of existing antitrust or competition laws, or any agreements with antitrust or competition authorities, against us or our subsidiaries, including Ambev, will not affect our business or the businesses of our subsidiaries in the future.

Our operations are subject to environmental regulations, which could expose us to significant compliance costs and litigation relating to environmental issues.

Our operations are subject to environmental regulations by national, state and local agencies, including, in certain cases, regulations that impose liability without regard to fault. These regulations can result in liability which might adversely affect our operations. The environmental regulatory climate in the markets in which we operate is becoming stricter, with a greater emphasis on enforcement.

While we have continuously invested in reducing our environmental risks and budgeted for future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will not incur substantial environmental liability or that applicable environmental laws and regulations will not change or become more stringent in the future.

We operate a joint venture in Cuba, in which the Government of Cuba is our joint venture partner. Cuba has been identified by the U.S. Department of State as a state sponsor of terrorism and is targeted by broad and comprehensive economic and trade sanctions of the United States. Our operations in Cuba may adversely affect our reputation and the liquidity and value of our securities.

We own indirectly a 50% equity interest in Cerveceria Bucanero S.A., a Cuban company in the business of producing and selling beer. The other 50% equity interest is owned by the Government of Cuba. Cerveceria Bucanero S.A. is operated as a joint venture in which we appoint the general manager. Cerveceria Bucanero S.A.’s main brands are Bucanero and Cristal. In 2011,2012, Cerveceria Bucanero S.A. sold 1.2 million hectoliters, representing about 0.29%0.31% of our global volume of 399403 million hectoliters for the year. Although Cerveceria Bucanero S.A.’s production is primarily sold in Cuba, a small portion of its production is exported to and sold by certain of our non-U.S. affiliatesdistributors in other countries outside Cuba (but not the United States). Cerveceria Bucanero S.A. also imports and sells in Cuba a quantity of Beck’s branded products produced by one of our German subsidiaries that is less than 6,0005,000 hectoliters.

Cuba has been identified by the United States government as a state sponsor of terrorism, and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. Commerce Department together administer and enforce broad and comprehensive economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba. Although our operations in Cuba are quantitatively immaterial, our overall business reputation may suffer or we may face additional regulatory scrutiny as a result of our activities in Cuba based on Cuba’s identification as a state sponsor of terrorism and target of U.S. economic and trade sanctions. In addition, there are initiatives by federal and state lawmakers in the United States, and certain U.S. institutional investors, including pension funds, to adopt laws, regulations or policies requiring divestment from, or reporting of interests in, or to facilitate divestment from, companies that do business with countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, including Cuba. If investors decide to liquidate or otherwise divest their investments in companies that have operations of any magnitude in Cuba, the market in and value of our securities could be adversely impacted.

In addition, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (known as the “Helms-Burton Act”) authorizes private lawsuits for damages against anyone who traffics in property confiscated without compensation by the Government of Cuba from persons who at the time were, or have since become, nationals of the United States. Although this section of the Helms-Burton Act is currently suspended by discretionary presidential action, the suspension may not continue in the future. Claims accrue notwithstanding the suspension and may be asserted if the suspension is discontinued. The Helms-Burton Act also includes a section that authorizes the U.S. Department of State to prohibit entry into the United States of non-U.S. persons who traffic in confiscated property, and corporate officers and principals of such persons, and their families. In 2009, we received notice of a claim purporting to be made under the Helms-Burton Act relating to the use of a trademark by Cerveceria Bucanero S.A., which is alleged to have been confiscated by the Cuban government and trafficked by us through our ownership and management of Cerveceria Bucanero S.A. Although we have attempted to review and evaluate the validity of the claim, due to the uncertain underlying circumstances, we are currently unable to express a view as to the validity of such claims, or as to the standing of the claimants to pursue them.

We may not be able to recruit or retain key personnel.

In order to develop, support and market our products, we must hire and retain skilled employees with particular expertise. The implementation of our strategic business plans could be undermined by a failure to recruit or retain key personnel or the unexpected loss of senior employees, including in acquired companies. We face various challenges inherent in the management of a large number of employees over diverse geographical regions. Key employees may choose to leave their employment for a variety of reasons, including reasons beyond our control. The impact of the departure of key employees cannot be determined and may depend on, among other things, our ability to recruit other individuals of similar experience and skill. It is not certain that we will be able to attract or retain key employees and successfully manage them, which could disrupt our business and have an unfavorable material effect on our financial position, income from operations and competitive position.

We are exposed to labor strikes and disputes that could lead to a negative impact on our costs and production level.

Our success depends on maintaining good relations with our workforce. In several of our operations, a majority of our workforce is unionized. For instance, a majority of the hourly employees at our breweries in several key countries in different geographies are represented by unions. Our production may be affected by work stoppages or slowdowns as a result of disputes under existing collective labor agreements with labor unions. We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate our collective labor agreements when they expire and may face tougher negotiations or higher wage and benefit demands. Furthermore, a work stoppage or slowdown at our facilities could interrupt the transport of raw materials from our suppliers or the transport of our products to our customers. Such disruptions could put a strain on our relationships with suppliers and clients and may have lasting effects on our business even after the disputes with our labor force have been resolved, including as a result of negative publicity.

Our production may also be affected by work stoppages or slowdowns that affect our suppliers, distributors and retail delivery/logistics providers as a result of disputes under existing collective labor agreements with labor unions, in connection with negotiations of new collective labor agreements, as a result of supplier financial distress, or for other reasons.

A strike, work stoppage or slowdown within our operations or those of our suppliers, or an interruption or shortage of raw materials for any other reason (including but not limited to financial distress, natural disaster, or difficulties affecting a supplier) could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, financial condition and ability to operate our business.

Information technology failures could disrupt our operations.

We increasingly rely on information technology systems to process, transmit, and store electronic information. A significant portion of the communication between our personnel, customers, and suppliers depends on information technology. As with all large systems, our information systems may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers or other security issues.

We depend on information technology to enable us to operate efficiently and interface with customers, as well as to maintain in-house management and control. We have also entered into various information technology services agreements pursuant to which our information technology infrastructure is outsourced to leading vendors.

In addition, the concentration of processes in shared services centers means that any technology disruption could impact a large portion of our business within the operating zones served. If we do not allocate, and effectively manage, the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach. As with all information technology systems, our system could also be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes.

We take various actions with the aim of minimizing potential technology disruptions, such as investing in intrusion detection solutions, proceeding with internal and external security assessments, building and implementing disaster recovery plans and reviewing risk management processes. Notwithstanding our efforts, technology disruptions could disrupt our business. For example, if outside parties gained access to confidential data or strategic information and appropriated such information or made such information public, this could harm our reputation or our competitive advantage. More generally, technology disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We experience from time to time attempted breaches of our technology systems and networks. In 2012, we experienced and expect to continue experiencing attempted breaches of our technology systems and networks. None of the attempted breaches on our systems (as a result of cyber-attacks, security breaches or similar events) had a material impact on our business or operations or resulted in material unauthorized access to our data.

Natural and other disasters could disrupt our operations.

Our business and operating results could be negatively impacted by social, technical or physical risks such as earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, fire, power loss, loss of water supply, telecommunications and information technology system failures, political instability, military conflict and uncertainties arising from terrorist attacks, including a global economic slowdown, the economic consequences of any military action and associated political instability.

Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient.

The cost of some of our insurance policies could increase in the future. In addition, some types of losses, such as losses resulting from wars, acts of terrorism, or natural disasters, generally are not insured because they are either uninsurable or it is not economically practical to obtain insurance. Moreover, insurers recently have become more reluctant to insure against these types of events. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, this could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The audit report included in this annual report is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection

Auditors of companies that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and traded publicly in the United States, including our independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in Belgium, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Belgian authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB.

This lack of PCAOB inspections in Belgium prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating audits and quality control procedures of any auditors operating in Belgium, including our auditors. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in Belgium makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of Belgium that are subject to PCAOB inspections.

Risks Related to Our Shares and American Depositary Shares

The market price of our shares and ADSs may be volatile.

The market price of our shares and ADSs may be volatile as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

The market price of our shares and ADSs may be adversely affected by any of the preceding or other factors regardless of our actual results of operations and financial condition.

Our controlling shareholder may use its controlling interest to take actions not supported by our minority shareholders.

As of the last date we were notified of its shareholding, 29 August 2011,31 December 2012, our controlling shareholder (Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev) owned 41.30%41.27% of our sharesvoting rights (and Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev and certain other entities acting in concert with it held, in the aggregate, 52.46%52.23% of our shares)voting rights), in each case based on the number of our shares outstanding on 29 August 201131 December 2012 (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders”).

Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev has the ability to effectively control or have a significant influence on the election of our Board of Directors and the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including dividend policy, mergers, share capital increases, going-private transactions and other extraordinary transactions. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information—Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached to Our Shares” for further information in this respect. The interests and time horizons of Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev may differ from those of other shareholders. As a result of its influence on our business, Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev could prevent us from making certain decisions or taking certain actions that would protect the interests of our other shareholders. For example, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change of control of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, even in the event that this change of control may benefit other shareholders generally. Similarly, Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev could prevent us from taking certain actions that would dilute its percentage interest in our shares, even if such actions would generally be beneficial to us and/or to other shareholders. These and other factors related to Stichting Anheuser-Busch InBev’s holding of a controlling interest in our shares may reduce the liquidity of our shares and ADSs and their attractiveness to investors.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro may increase the risk of holding our ADSs and shares.

Our shares currently trade on Euronext Brussels in euros and our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro may result in temporary differences between the value of our ADSs and the value of our ordinary shares, which may result in heavy trading by investors seeking to exploit such differences. In particular,For example, uncertainty regarding the ability of eurozone governments to resolve the eurozone sovereign debt crisis, including the possibility of an exit by one or more eurozone countries from the single currency, could lead to euro exchange rates becoming highly volatile and unpredictable. It is possible that this willSimilarly, uncertainty over fiscal and budgetary challenges in the United States may negatively impact global economic conditions, and could trigger sharply increased trading and consequent market fluctations,fluctuations, which would increase the volatility of, and may have an adverse effect upon, the price of our shares or ADSs.

In addition, as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds that a holder of our ADSs would receive upon the sale in Belgium of any shares withdrawn from the American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) depositary and the U.S. dollar equivalent of any cash dividends paid in euros on our shares represented by the ADSs could also decline.

Future equity issuances may dilute the holdings of current shareholders or ADS holders and could materially affect the market price of our shares or ADSs.

We may in the future decide to offer additional equity to raise capital or for other purposes. Any such additional offering could reduce the proportionate ownership and voting interests of holders of our shares and ADSs, as well as our earnings per share or ADS and net asset value per share or ADS, and any offerings by us or our main shareholders could have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares and ADSs.

Investors may not be able to participate in equity offerings, and ADS holders may not receive any value for rights that we may grant.

Our constitutional documents provide for preference rights to be granted to our existing shareholders unless such rights are disapplied by resolution of our shareholders’ meeting or the Board of Directors. Our shareholders’ meeting or Board of Directors may disapply such rights in future equity offerings. In addition, certain shareholders (including those in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan) may not be entitled to exercise such rights even if they are not disapplied unless the rights and related shares are registered or qualified for sale under the relevant legislation or regulatory framework. As a result, there is the risk that investors may suffer dilution of their shareholding should they not be permitted to participate in preference right equity or other offerings that we may conduct in the future.

If rights are granted to our shareholders, but the ADR depositary is unable to sell rights corresponding to shares represented by ADSs that are not exercised by, or distributed to, ADS holders, or if the sale of such rights is not lawful or reasonably practicable, the ADR depositary will allow the rights to lapse, in which case ADS holders will receive no value for such rights.

ADS holders may not be able to exercise their right to vote the shares underlying our ADSs.

Holders of ADSs may exercise voting rights with respect to the shares represented by our ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement provides that, upon receipt of a notice of any meeting of holders of our shares, the depositary will, if we so request, distribute to the ADS holders a notice which shall contain (i) such information as is contained in the notice of the meeting sent by us, (ii) a statement that the ADS holder as of the specified record date shall be entitled to instruct the ADR depositary as to the exercise of voting rights and (iii) a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by the holders.

Holders of ADSs may instruct the ADR depositary to vote the shares underlying their ADSs, but only if we ask the ADR depositary to ask for their instructions. Otherwise, ADS holders will not be able to exercise their right to vote, unless they withdraw our shares underlying the ADSs they hold. However, ADS holders may not know about the meeting far enough in advance to withdraw those shares. If we ask for the instructions of ADS holders, the depositary, upon timely notice from us, will notify ADS holders of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to them. We cannot guarantee ADS holders that they will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that they can instruct the ADR depositary to vote their shares. In addition, the ADR depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that ADS holders may not be able to exercise their right to vote, and there may be nothing they can do if the shares underlying their ADSs are not voted as requested.

ADS holders may be subject to limitations on the transfer of their ADSs.

ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the ADR depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when the books of the ADR depositary are closed or if such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the ADR depositary or by us because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission or under any provision of the deposit agreement. Moreover, the surrender of ADSs and withdrawal of our shares may be suspended subject to the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges or if we direct the ADR depositary at any time to cease new issuances and withdrawals of our shares during periods specified by us in connection with shareholders’ meetings, the payment of dividends or as otherwise reasonably necessary for compliance with any applicable laws or government regulations.

Shareholders may not enjoy under Belgian corporate law and our articles of association certain of the rights and protection generally afforded to shareholders of U.S. companies under U.S. federal and state laws and the NYSE rules.

We are a public limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Belgium. The rights provided to our shareholders under Belgian corporate law and our articles of association differ in certain respects from the rights that you would typically enjoy as a shareholder of a U.S. company under applicable U.S. federal and/or state laws. In general, the Belgian Corporate Governance Code is a code of best practice applying to listed companies on a non-binding basis. The Code applies a “comply or explain” approach, that is, companies may depart from the Code’s provisions if, as required by law, they give a reasoned explanation of the reasons for doing so.

We are relying on a provision in the NYSE Listed Company Manual that allows us to follow Belgian corporate law and the Belgian Corporate Governance Code with regard to certain aspects of corporate governance. This allows us to continue following certain corporate governance practices that differ in significant respects from the corporate governance requirements applicable to U.S. companies listed on the NYSE. In particular, the NYSE rules require a majority of the directors of a listed U.S. company to be independent while, in Belgium, only three directors need be independent. Our board currently comprises fourthree independent directors and eight non-independent directors. As of 25 April 2012, the mandate of one of our independent directors, Peter Harf, will come to an end. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors.” The NYSE rules further require that each of the nominating, compensation and audit committees of a listed U.S. company be comprised entirely of independent directors. However, the Belgian Corporate Governance Code recommends only that a majority of the directors on each of these committees meet the technical requirements for independence under Belgian corporate law. All voting members of the Audit Committee are independent under

the NYSE rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee have members who would not be considered independent under NYSE rules, and therefore our Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee would not be in compliance with the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards for domestic issuers in respect of independence of these committees. However, both our Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee are composed exclusively of non-executive directors who are independent of management and whom we consider to be free of any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—General—Information about Our Committees.”

Under Belgian corporate law, other than certain limited information that we must make public, our shareholders may not ask for an inspection of our corporate records, while under Delaware corporate law any shareholder, irrespective of the size of his or her shareholdings, may do so. Shareholders of a Belgian corporation are also unable to initiate a derivative action, a remedy typically available to shareholders of U.S. companies, in order to enforce a right of Anheuser-Busch InBev, in case we fail to enforce such right ourselves, other than in certain cases of director liability under limited circumstances. In addition, a majority of our shareholders may release a director from any claim of liability we may have, including if he or she has acted in bad faith or has breached his or her duty of loyalty, provided, in some cases, that the relevant acts were specifically mentioned in the convening notice to the shareholders’ meeting deliberating on the discharge. In contrast, most U.S. federal and state laws prohibit a company or its shareholders from releasing a director from liability altogether if he or she has acted in bad faith or has breached his or her duty of loyalty to the company. Finally, Belgian corporate law does not provide any form of appraisal rights in the case of a business combination.

For additional information on these and other aspects of Belgian corporate law and our articles of association, see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information.” As a result of these differences between Belgian corporate law and our articles of association, on the one hand, and U.S. federal and state laws, on the other hand, in certain instances, you could receive less protection as a shareholder of our company than you would as a shareholder of a U.S. company.

As a “foreign private issuer” in the United States, we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC.

As a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from certain rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for

proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for U.S. public companies.

It may be difficult for investors outside Belgium to serve process on or enforce foreign judgments against us.

We are a Belgian public limited liability company. Certain of the members of our Board of Directors and Executive Board of Management and certain of the persons named herein are non-residents of the United States. All or a substantial portion of the assets of such non-resident persons and certain of our assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process upon such persons or on us or to enforce against them or us a judgment obtained in U.S. courts. Original actions or actions for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts relating to the civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States are not directly enforceable in Belgium. The United States and Belgium do not currently have a multilateral or bilateral treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, other than arbitral awards, in civil and commercial matters. In order for a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by U.S. courts based on civil liability to produce any effect on Belgian soil, it is accordingly required that this judgment be recognized or be declared enforceable by a Belgian court pursuant to the relevant provisions of the 2004 Belgian Code of Private International Law. Recognition or enforcement does not imply a review of the merits of the case and is irrespective of any reciprocity requirement. A U.S. judgment will, however, not be recognized or declared enforceable in Belgium if it infringes upon one or more of the grounds for refusal which are exhaustively listed in

Article 25 of the Belgian Code of Private International Law. In addition to recognition or enforcement, a judgment by a federal or state court in the United States against us may also serve as evidence in a similar action in a Belgian court if it meets the conditions required for the authenticity of judgments according to the law of the state where it was rendered.

Shareholders in jurisdictions with currencies other than the euro face additional investment risk from currency exchange rate fluctuations in connection with their holding of our shares.

Any future payments of dividends on shares will be denominated in euro. The U.S. dollar — or other currency — equivalent of any dividends paid on our shares or received in connection with any sale of our shares could be adversely affected by the depreciation of the euro against these other currencies.

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

We are the world’s largest brewing company by volume, and one of the world’s fivefour largest consumer products companies. As a consumer-centric, sales-driven company, we produce, market, distribute and sell a strong, balanced portfolio of well over 200 beer brands. These include global flagship brands Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck’s; multi-country brands such as Leffe and Hoegaarden; and many “local champions” such as Bud Light, Michelob, Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Quilmes, Jupiler, Hasseroder, Klinskoye, Sibirskaya Korona, Chernigivske, Harbin and Sedrin. We also produce and distribute soft drinks, particularly in Latin America.

Our brewing heritage and quality are rooted in brewing traditions that originate from the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, dating back to 1366, and those of Anheuser & Co. brewery, established in 1852 in St. Louis, U.S.A. As of 31 December 2011,2012, we employed approximately 116,000118,000 people, with operations in 23 countries across the world. Given the breadth of our operations, we are organized along seven business zones or segments: North America, Latin America North, Latin America South, Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Global Export & Holding Companies. The first six correspond to specific geographic regions in which our operations are based. As a result, we have a global footprint with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets and production facilities spread across our six geographic regions.

Following completion of the combination with Anheuser-Busch in 2008, we nowWe have significant brewing operations within the developed markets of North America. TheAmerica, and the North America business zone accounted for 31.3%31.1% of our consolidated volumes for the year ended 31 December 2011.2012. We also have significant exposure to fast-growing emergingdeveloping markets in Latin America North (which accounted for 30.1%31.3% of our consolidated volumes in the year ended 31 December 2011)2012), Asia Pacific (which accounted for 14.0%14.3% of our consolidated volumes in the year ended 31 December 2011)2012) and Latin America South (which accounted for 8.7%8.5% of our consolidated volumes in the year ended 31 December 2011)2012).

Our 20112012 volumes (beer and non-beer) were 399403 million hectoliters and our revenue amounted to USD 39.039.8 billion.

On 29 June 2012, we announced our agreement to acquire the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo that we do not already own in cash in a transaction valued at USD 20.1 billion, subject to regulatory approvals in the United States and Mexico and other customary closing conditions. See details in “—History and Development of the Company” below.

Registration and Main Corporate Details

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV was incorporated on 2 August 1977 for an unlimited duration under the laws of Belgium under the original name BEMES. It has the legal form of a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap/société anonyme). Its registered office is located at Grand-Place/Grote Markt 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, and it is registered with the Register of Legal Entities of Brussels under the number 0417.497.106. Our global headquarters are located at Brouwerijplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium (tel.: +32 16 27 61 11). Our agent in the United States is Anheuser-Busch InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10177.

We are a publicly traded company, listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol ABI. ADSs representing rights to receive our ordinary shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol BUD.

History and Development of the Company

Our roots can be traced back to Den Hoorn in Leuven, which began making beer in 1366. In 1717 Sébastien Artois, master brewer of Den Hoorn, took over the brewery and renamed it Sébastien Artois.

In 1987, the two largest breweries in Belgium merged: Brouwerijen Artois NV, located in Leuven, and Brasserie Piedboeuf SA, founded in 1853 and located in Jupille, resulting in the formation of Interbrew SA (“Interbrew”). Following this merger, Interbrew acquired a number of local breweries in Belgium. By 1991, a second phase of targeted external growth began outside Belgium’s borders. The first transaction in this phase took place in Hungary with the acquisition of Borsodi Sorgyar in 1991, followed in 1995 by the acquisition of John Labatt Ltd. in Canada and then in 1999 by a joint venture with SUN Brewing in Russia.Russia and Ukraine.

Interbrew operated as a family-owned business until December 2000, the time of its initial public offering on Euronext Brussels.

The last decadeperiod since the listing of Interbrew on Euronext Brussels has been marked by increasing geographical diversification, seeing Interbrew move into new areas or strengthen its operations in countries or regions in which it had previously acquired a foothold.diversification. In 2000, Interbrew acquired Bass Brewers and Whitbread Beer Company in the United Kingdom, and in 2001 it established itself in Germany with the acquisition of Brauerei Diebels GmbH & Co KG. This was followed by the acquisition in 2002 of Brauerei Beck GmbH & Co KG. and of the Gilde Group. In 2002, Interbrew strengthened its position in China by acquiring stakes in the K.K. Brewery and the Zhujiang Brewery. In 2004, Interbrew acquired Spaten-Franziskaner Bräu KGaA.

2004 marked a significant event in our history: the combination of Interbrew and Ambev, a Brazilian company listed (and currently still listed) on the New York Stock Exchange and on the São Paulo Stock Exchange, resulting in the creation of InBev. At the time of the combination, Ambev was the world’s fifth largest brewer, with a significant presence in the Brazilian market, as well as strong positions throughout Latin America. As of 31 December 2011,2012, we had a 74.05% voting interest in Ambev, and a 61.9%61.87% economic interest.

In 2003, we also acquired, through Ambev, our initial 50.64% interest in Quilmes Industrial S.A. (“Quinsa”) as part of the Interbrew-Ambev combination,, thereby strengthening our foothold in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Following a series of transactions asand a result of which Ambev’s equity interestrestructuring in Quinsa increased to approximately 91%, on 28 December 20072010, Ambev launched a voluntary offer to purchase the outstanding shares of Quinsa that were not owned by Ambev or its subsidiaries, and continued to increase its voting and economic interest in Quinsa through subsequent purchases by Ambev subsidiaries from Quinsa’s minority shareholders. During 2010, as part of an offshore restructuring, Quinsa was liquidated and Labatt Holding A/S became the direct owner of shares representing 99.99%now owns 100% of the corporatetotal share capital of the holding company with operating subsidiaries in Argentina and votes in Quilmes International (Bermuda) Ltd. On 20 October 2011, Labatt Holding A/S exercised its right under Bermuda law to acquire the totality of shares held by the remaining minority shareholders of Quilmes. This resulted in Ambev, through Labatt Holding A/S, increasing its equity interest in Quilmes to 100% of issued shares as of 20 October 2011. These restructurings had no impact on our Zone structure.

other South American countries. The Ambev and Quinsa transactions allowed InBev to position itself in the Latin American beer market and also to gain a presence in the soft drinks market (as Ambev is one of PepsiCo’s largest independent bottlers in the world).

In 2004, InBev acquired the China brewery activities of the Lion Group.

In August 2004, InBev and Sun Trade (International) Ltd. (“Sun Trade”), the controlling shareholders of Sun Interbrew Ltd. reached an agreement whereby InBev acquired Sun Trade’s voting and economic interests in Sun Interbrew Plc (then known as “Sun Interbrew Ltd.”). Furthermore, in January 2005, InBev reached an agreement with Alfa-Eco, whereby InBev acquired all of Alfa-Eco’s holding of voting and non-voting shares in Sun Interbrew Ltd. On completion of the above transaction, and taking into consideration market purchases performed in 2005, InBev owned a 99.8% economic interest in Sun Interbrew Ltd.

In 2006, InBev acquired Fujian Sedrin Brewery Co. Ltd., the largest brewer in the Fujian province of China, making InBev a major brewer in China, the world’s largest beer market by volume. The acquisition of the Sedrin brand also allowed InBev to strengthen its Chinese products portfolio.

In 2007, Labatt Brewing Company Limited (“Labatt”) acquired Lakeport Brewing Income Fund in Canada, securing a strong presence in the growing value category in Ontario. 2007 also marked the acquisition of Cervejarias Cintra Indústria e Comércio Ltda (“Cintra”) by Ambev, thereby enabling Ambev to expand production capacity to meet the continuing increase in demand in the beer and soft drink markets in Brazil. The initial transaction did not include the brands and distribution assets of Cintra. In January 2008, Ambev reached an agreement for the purchase of the Cintra brands, and these brands were subsequently sold to the Brazilian brewer Schincariol in May 2008.

In May 2007, InBev announced a long-term joint venture agreement with the RKJ group, a leading beverage group operating in India. As of 1 April 2009, the joint venture vehicle began selling, marketing and distributing Budweiser in India. We expect that the venture will build a meaningful presence in India over time.

In March 2008, InBev reached an agreement with its Chinese partner in the InBev Shiliang (Zhejiang) Brewery to increase InBev’s stake in this business to 100%. The deal was approved by the relevant authorities in June 2008. This step enabled InBev to strengthen its position in the Zhejiang province in China.

On 13 July 2008, InBev and Anheuser-Busch announced their agreement to combine the two companies by way of an offer by InBev of USD 70 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of Anheuser-Busch. The total amount of funds necessary to consummate the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition was approximately USD 54.8 billion, including the payment of USD 52.5 billion to shareholders of Anheuser-Busch, refinancing certain Anheuser-Busch indebtedness, payment of all transaction charges, fees and expenses and the amount of fees and expenses and accrued but unpaid interest to be paid on Anheuser-Busch’s outstanding indebtedness. InBev shareholders approved the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition at InBev’s extraordinary shareholders meeting on 29 September 2008 and, on 12 November 2008, a majority of Anheuser-Busch shares voted to approve the transaction at a special shareholders meeting of Anheuser-Busch. The 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition was completed, and the certificate of merger filed, on 18 November 2008. For further detailsAs a result of the merger, we changed our name to Anheuser-Busch acquisition, see “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts.”InBev SA/NV.

In November 2008, InBev agreed to divest the assets of InBev USA LLC as a condition for clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for ourits acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. On 13 March 2009, we announced that we had completed the sale of the assets of InBev USA LLC (d/b/a Labatt USA) to an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners, LP. Under the terms of the agreement announced on 23 February 2009, KPS Capital Partners, LP acquired the assets of Labatt USA and an exclusive license, granted by Labatt, (i) to brew Labatt branded beer in the United States or Canada solely for sale for consumption in the United States; (ii) to distribute, market and sell Labatt branded beer for consumption in the United States; and (iii) to use the relevant trademarks and intellectual property to do so. On 11 August 2009, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia gave final approval to the settlement proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with our acquisition.

Beginning in 2003, Anheuser-Busch participated in a strategic alliance with Tsingtao, one of the largest brewers in China and producer of the Tsingtao brand. Through the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition, we acquired Anheuser-Busch’s 27% economic ownership interest and a 20% voting interest in Tsingtao. On 30 April 2009, we completed the sale of a 19.9% minority stake in Tsingtao to Asahi Breweries, Ltd. As a result of the transaction, Asahi Breweries, Ltd became Tsingtao’s second largest shareholder. Tsingtao Brewery Group remained the largest shareholder in Tsingtao. On 8 May 2009, we announced that we had entered into an agreement with a private investor, Mr. Chen Fashu, to sell our remaining 7% stake in Tsingtao. On 5 June 2009, we announced that the transaction had closed.

On 24 July 2009, we completed the sale of our South Korean subsidiary, Oriental Brewery, to an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. for USD 1.8 billion, which resulted in USD 1.5 billion of cash proceeds and receipt of a USD 0.3 billion note receivable at closing. On 12 March 2010, the note receivable was sold for USD 0.3 billion in cash. Under the terms of the agreement, we will continue our relationship with Oriental Brewery through granting Oriental Brewery exclusive licenses to distribute certain brands in South Korea including Budweiser, Bud Ice and Hoegaarden, and by having an ongoing interest in Oriental Brewery through an agreed earn-out. In addition, we have the right, but not the obligation, to reacquire Oriental Brewery five years after the closing of the transaction based on predetermined financial terms.

On 29 September 2009, we completed the sale of our Tennent’s Lager brand and associated trading assets in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (part of InBev UK Limited) to C&C Group plc for a total enterprise value of GBP 180 million. Included in the sale were the Glasgow Wellpark Brewery in Scotland, where Tennent’s Lager is brewed, rights to the Tennent’s Lager brand itself, Tennent’s Ales and assets located in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As part of the agreement, we appointed C&C Group as distributor of certain of our brands in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and C&C Group granted us a license to use the Tennent’s Super and Tennent’s Pilsner brands in certain jurisdictions.

On 1 October 2009, we completed the sale of four metal beverage can and lid manufacturing plants from our U.S. metal packaging subsidiary, Metal Container Corporation, to Ball Corporation for approximately USD 577

million. The divested plants were primarily responsible for the production of cans for soft drinks. In connection with this transaction, Ball Corporation entered into a long-term supply agreement to continue to supply us with metal beverage cans and lids from the divested plants and committed, as part of the acquisition agreement, to offer employment to each active employee of the plants.

On 1 December 2009, we completed the sale of our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Busch Entertainment Corporation, to an entity established by Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. for up to USD 2.7 billion. The purchase price was comprised of a cash payment of USD 2.3 billion and a right to participate in Blackstone Capital Partners’ return on its initial investment, which is capped at USD 400 million.

On 2 December 2009, we completed the sale of our Central European operations to CVC Capital Partners for an enterprise value of USD 2.2 billion, of which USD 1.6 billion was cash, USD 448 million was received as an unsecured deferred payment obligation with a six-year maturity and USD 165 million represents the estimated value to minorities. On 15 July 2011, the deferred payment obligation, including accrued interest, was sold for USD 0.5 billion in cash. We also received additional rights to a future payment up to USD 800 million contingent on CVC’s return on its initial investments. As a result of the sale, we recorded a capital gain of approximately USD 1.1 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, our operations in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia were sold. The business weOn 15 July 2011, the deferred payment obligation, including accrued interest, was sold for USD 0.5 billion in cash. At the time of the 2009 sale to CVC Capital Partners, in 2009 haswe also received additional rights under a Contingent Value Right Agreement to brew and/or distribute Stella Artois, Beck’s, Löwenbräu, Hoegaarden, Spaten and Leffe in the above countries under license from us.a future payment that was contingent on CVC’s return on its initial investments. On 3 April15 June 2012, CVC announced plans to sellsold the business to Molson Coors Brewing Company. NoneCompany for an aggregate consideration of EUR 2.65 billion. We believe that as a result of the contingent future consideration from our sale to Molson, the return earned by CVC Capital Partners triggered our right to whicha further payment under the CVR Agreement. On 25 October 2012, CVC Capital Partners issued proceedings against us in the English Commercial Court in relation to the CVR Agreement and sought a declaration that the return it received following the sale to Molson did not trigger our right to payment. We served our defense and counterclaim on 19 December 2012. The amount we may be entitled has yet been paid. Any paymentsare able to recover will depend on the return on CVC’s investment following closing of the announced Molson Coors dealdiscovery and thereafter.calculation criteria to be explored at trial.

By the end of 2009, we had completed our formal divestiture program resulting from the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition, exceeding our target of USD 77.0 billion, with approximately USD 9.4 billion of asset disposals of which approximately USD 7.4 billion were realized cash proceeds. We may continue to dispose of additional assets or businesses within the normal course of business, and expect to utilize the proceeds, in part, from any such disposals to repay indebtedness incurred to finance the Anheuser-Busch acquisition.

On 20 October 2010, Ambev and Cerveceria Regional S.A. closed a transaction pursuant to which they combined their businesses in Venezuela, with Regional owning an 85% interest and Ambev owning the remaining 15% in the new company, which may be increased to 20% over the next four years. This transaction was not material to us. Additionally, in 2010, we did not make any acquisitions or disposals that were material to us.

On 28 February 2011, we closed a transaction with Dalian Daxue Group Co., Ltd and Kirin (China) Investment Co., Ltd to acquire a 100% equity interest in Liaoning Dalian Daxue Brewery Co., Ltd., which is among the top three breweries in Liaoning province. Daxue brews, markets and distributes major beer brands including “Daxue”, “Xiao Bang” and “Da Bang” which are popular beer brands in the south of Liaoning province, with a total sales volume of over 2two million hectoliters in 2010. This transaction is not material to us.

On 1 May 2011, we acquired Fulton Street Brewery LLC, also known as Goose Island, a Midwest craft brewer in the United States. Goose Island brews ales, such as 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Honkers Ale, India Pale Ale, Matilda, Pere Jacques, Sofie and a wide variety of seasonal draft only and barrel-aged releases, including Bourbon County Stout, the original bourbon barrel-aged beer. This transaction is not material to us.

On 31 May 2011, we closed a transaction with Henan Weixue Beer Group Co. Ltd to acquire its brands (Weixue and JiGongshan), assets and business, including its Xinyang brewery, Zhengzhou brewery and Gushi Brewery. This transaction is not material

Effective as of 1 October 2011, our subsidiary Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, converted to us.Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, pursuant to Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Section 18-214 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

On 30 December 2011, we acquired Premium Beers of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, United States, a major wholesaler in that territory.

On 11 May 2012, Ambev and E. León Jimenes S.A. (“ELJ”), which owned 83.5% of Cervecería Nacional Dominicana S.A. (“CND”), entered into a transaction to form a strategic alliance to create the leading beverage company in the Caribbean through the combination of their businesses in the region. Ambev’s initial indirect interest in CND was acquired through a cash payment of USD 1.0 billion and the contribution of Ambev Dominicana. Separately, Ambev Brazil acquired an additional stake in CND of 9.3%, which was owned by Heineken N.V., for USD 237 million at the closing date. During the second half of 2012, as part of the same transaction, Ambev acquired an additional 0.99% stake from other minority holders, through a cash payment of USD 36 million. As of 31 December 2012, Ambev owns a total indirect interest of 52.0% in CND.

On 29 June 2012, we announced an agreement with Grupo Modelo agreeing to acquire the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo that we do not already own for USD 9.15 per share in cash in a transaction valued at USD 20.1 billion. Completion of the combination with Grupo Modelo has been conditioned upon, among other things, antitrust approval from U.S. and Mexican authorities. In a related transaction, it was announced on 29 June 2012 that Grupo Modelo would sell its existing 50% stake in Crown Imports, the joint venture that imports and markets Grupo Modelo’s brands in the United States, to Constellation for USD 1.85 billion, giving Constellation 100% ownership and control. In February 2013, we announced a revised agreement with Constellation valued at USD 2.9 billion, which has been conditioned upon, among other things, any antitrust clearance from U.S. and Mexican authorities that may be required. For further information, see “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings—Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV—Grupo Modelo Transaction” and “Item 8. Financial Information—B. Significant Changes.”

On 21 September 2012, we entered into an agreement with Dragon Group to acquire its stake in Keytop group for an aggregate purchase price anticipated to be approximately USD 400 million. The Keytop group owns majority participations in four breweries located in the Jiangxi, Henan and Shandong provinces in China. This acquisition is expected to support our growth strategy in China through the addition of approximately nine million hectoliters in total production capacity, and the closing of the acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

For further details of our principal capital expenditures and divestitures, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—G. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investments and Disposals.”

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Strengths

We believe that the following key strengths will drive the realization of our strategic goals and reinforce our competitive position in the marketplace:

Global platform with strong market positions in key markets

We are the world’s largest brewing company and believe we hold leading positions in the majority of our key markets. We have strong market positions based on strong brands and benefit fromthe benefits of scale. We believe this positions us well to deploy significant resources in sales and marketing to build and maintain our brands, achieve attractive sourcing terms, generate cost savings through centralization and operate under a lean cost structure. Our global reach provides us with a strong platform to grow our global and multi-country brands, while developing local brands tailored to regional tastes. We benefit from a global distribution network which, depending on the location, is either owned by us or is based on strong partnerships with wholesalers and local distributors.

We believe that in 20112012 the approximate industry volumes and our approximate market shares by volume in the world’s six largest beer markets by volume are as follows:

Note:

Since the completion of the Anheuser-Busch acquisition and the combination of InBev and Anheuser-Busch, weWe have been the global leader in the brewing industry by volume and, measuredfor the past three years. Measured by EBITDA, as defined, for 2011,2012, we are ranked among the top fivefour consumer products companies worldwide. The Anheuser-Busch acquisition significantly enhanced our positionWe have significant positions in the United States oneand Brazil, two of the most stable and profitable beer markets in the world, and in China, the world’s largest beer market by volume. Management believes that it can realize significant upside potential by continuing to roll out Anheuser-Busch InBev’s brands using our global distribution platform.

GeographicalGeographic diversification

Our geographically diversified platform balances the growth opportunities of emergingdeveloping markets with the stability and strength of maturedeveloped markets. With significant operations in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, we benefit from a natural hedge against market, economic and seasonal volatility. MatureDeveloped markets represented approximately 49.6%51.0% of our 20112012 operating profit and emergingdeveloping markets represented 50.4%49.0% of our 20112012 operating profit.

Strong brand portfolio with global, multi-country and local brands

Our strong brand portfolio addresses a broad range of demand for different types of beer and offers a range of international and local brands in our Zones in three brand categories:

Our strategy is to focus our attention on the core to premium brands. As a result, we undertake clear brand choices and seek to invest in those brands that build deep connections with consumers and meet their needs. We seek to replicate our successful brand initiatives and best practices across geographic markets.

Strong innovation and brand development capabilities

As a consumer-centric, sales-driven company, we continue to strive to understand the values, lifestyles and preferences of both today’s and tomorrow’s consumers, building fresh appeal and competitive advantage through innovative products and services tailored to meet those needs. We believe that consumer demand can be best anticipated by a close relationship between our innovation and insight teams in which current and expected market trends trigger and drive research processes. Successful examples of recently developed products include Beck’s Sapphire, Bud Light Platinum, Bud Light LimeLime-A-Rita (United States), Skol 360 and Antarctica Sub-Zero (Brazil), Quilmes “Night” (Argentina), Stella Artois Cidre (United Kingdom), alcohol-free Quilmes Lieber (Argentina)Leffe Royale (Belgium), Franziskaner Royal (Germany), Chernigivske Chezz (Ukraine) and Harbin Ice GD (China), Beck’s Lime (Germany), Shock Top Raspberry Wheat (United States), Leffe Ruby, Leffe Printemps and Hoegaarden 0.0 (Belgium), Chernigivske Chezz (Ukraine), and Franziskaner Royal and Lowenbrau Dunkel (Germany).

We believe that our excellence programs, including our “World Class Commercial Program,” are one of our competitive advantages. As part of our consumer-centric, sales-driven approach, we have established an integrated marketing and sales execution program, the “World Class Commercial Program,” which is designed to continuously improve the quality of our sales and marketing capabilities and processes by ensuring they are understood and consistently followed.

Strict financial discipline

World-class efficiency has been, and remains, a long-term objective across all lines of business and markets as well as under all economic circumstances. Avoiding unnecessary costs is a core competency within our culture. We distinguish between “non-working” and “working” expenses, the latter having a direct impact on sales volumes or revenues. We currently have a greater focus on reducing non-working expenses, given that they are incurred independently from sales volumes or revenues and without immediate benefit to customers or consumers. By maintaining strict financial discipline and turning non-working expenses into working expenses, our “Cost—Connect—Win” model aims to fund sustainable sales and marketing efforts throughout an economic cycle in order to connect with our customers and win by achieving long-term, profitable growth. We have a number of group-wide cost efficiency programs in place, including:

•

Voyager Plant Optimization or VPO: VPO aims to bring greater efficiency and standardization to our brewing operations and to generate cost savings, while at the same time improving quality, safety and the environment. VPO also entails assessment of our procurement processes to maximize purchasing power and to help us achieve the best results when purchasing a range of goods and services. Behavioral change towards greater cost awareness is at the core of this program, and comprehensive training modules have been established to assist our employees with the implementation of VPO in their daily routines.

In addition, we have set up business service centers across our business zones which focus on transactional and support activities within our group. The centers help standardize working practices and identify and disseminate best practices.

We estimate the Anheuser-Busch acquisition generated at least USD 2.25 billion of cost savings from the time of acquisition to the end of 2011. USD 250 million of cost saving synergies were delivered in 2008, USD 1.11 billion in 2009, USD 620 million in 2010, and the balance in 2011.

The cost savings fall into four categories:

The estimated cost savings are calculated by comparing the Anheuser-Busch U.S. cost base before the Anheuser-Busch acquisition, corrected for inflation, to the costs of our U.S. operations for the years 2009-2011 since the Anheuser-Busch acquisition. We perform this comparison by benchmarking activities at a low level of granularity, down to the level of individual cost centers for the current budget year. The synergies figures represent amounts estimated to be achieved by the combined businesses in the relevant period. For 2009-2011, we estimated the value of the synergies obtained by comparing the cost base of Anheuser-Busch for the full year 2009 to the full year 2008, the full year 2010 to the full year 2009 and the full year 2011 to the full year 2010, respectively. For 2008, we compared the cost base for the fourth quarter of 2008 to the fourth quarter of 2007. The 2009-2011 savings mainly resulted from the implementation of ZBB, with some savings from procurement, manufacturing best practices and other activities in the United Kingdom and China. The 2008 savings mainly resulted from savings triggered by the Blue Ocean program implemented by Anheuser-Busch in anticipation of the acquisition and by some ZBB savings.

In addition to the aforementioned cost synergies, management believes that the Anheuser-Busch acquisition has added and will continue to add substantial value through the exchange of best practices in areas such as sales, distribution, marketing and corporate social responsibility. We believe that the disciplined programs of sales and marketing execution of our group companies can be combined to achieve a best-in-class commercial program. Anheuser-Busch’s Blue Ocean program is a cost reduction initiative commenced by Anheuser-Busch prior to the completion of the acquisition, which is aimed at cost savings and process improvements across all areas of that company, including through process benchmarking in Anheuser-Busch’s breweries, energy and environmental initiatives to reduce its reliance on natural gas and fuel oil, supply chain savings, improved materials usage, business

process redesign using technology to further centralize Anheuser-Busch’s brewing control rooms and automation of its warehouse functions, the implementation of a new early retirement program for salaried Anheuser-Busch employees, reorganizations aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness, reducing overhead growth and achieving widespread reductions in non-salary spending.

Experienced management team with a strong track record of delivering synergies through business combinations

During the last two decades, our management (or the management of our predecessor companies) has executed a number of merger and acquisition transactions of varying sizes, with acquired businesses being successfully integrated into our operations, realizing significant synergies. Notable examples include:

Our strong track record also extends to successfully integrating portfolios of brands such as Spaten-Löwenbräu in 2003 and leveraging cross-selling potential and distribution networks such as the distribution of Stella Artois through Ambev’s channels in Latin America.

If the proposed combination with Grupo Modelo closes as expected, we believe that the combination should yield annual synergies of approximately USD 1 billion. These synergies are expected to be phased in over the first four years following the closing of the transaction and are expected to come from economies of scale through combined purchasing opportunities and the sharing of best practices around the world.

Strategy

Our strategy is based on our dream to be “the Best Beer Company in a Better World”

The guiding principle for our strategy is a dream to be “the Best Beer Company in a Better World” by uniting strong brand development, sales execution and best-in-class efficiency with the role of a responsible global corporate citizen. The “Best Beer Company” element relates primarily to our aim of maintaining highly profitable operations in all markets with leading brands and market positions where we operate. The term “Better World” articulates our belief that all stakeholders will benefit from good corporate citizenship, finding its expression in our work to promote responsible enjoyment of our products, protecting the environment and giving back to the communities in which we operate. We discourage consumers from excessive or underage drinking through marketing campaigns aimed at moderate and legal consumption, as outlined in our Commercial Communications Code.

Four pillars areA clear and consistent business model is fundamental to our future strategic positioningstrategy

Our business model is focused on organic growth. We aim to create sustainable value for our shareholders through revenue growth ahead of the industry and strong cost management, leading to margin enhancement. The business model is supported by strict financial discipline in the generation and use of cash, including selective external growth opportunities, and is underpinned by our powerful Dream-People-Culture platform.

First, we aim to win consumers and secure loyalty throughgrow our strong brand portfolio.revenue ahead of the benchmark of industry volume growth plus inflation, on a country by country basis.

Second, we intend to win points of connection with consumers through world-class consumer programs.

Third,Second, we strive to continuously improve efficiency and to continue our strong track record in margin enhancements by unlocking the potential for variable and fixed cost savings.

Finally, we seekwill continue to exercise strict financial discipline in the generation and use of cash.

While organic growth is the focus for our management, we will continue to drive external growth as and when appropriate opportunities through selected acquisitions.arise.

General factors facilitate the implementation of our corporate strategy

We have identified certain key tools which we believe will enable us to implement our corporate strategy, including:

We produce, market, distribute and sell a strong, balanced portfolio of well over 200 beer brands and have a global footprint with a balanced exposure to mature and emerging markets and production facilities spread across our six geographic regions.

We are a consumer-centric, sales-driven company. Consequently, our production facilities and other assets are predominantly located in the same geographical areas as our customers. We set up local production when we believe that there is substantial potential for local sales that cannot be addressed in a cost efficient manner through exports or third-party distribution into the relevant country. Local production also helps us to reduce, although it does not eliminate, our exposure to currency movements.

The table below sets out the main brands we sell in the markets listed below.

Market		Global brands		Multi-country brands		Local brands
Chile		Budweiser, Stella Artois		—		Beer: Baltica, Becker, Brahma
Dominican Republic		Budweiser		—		Beer: Brahma, Presidente Soft drinks: Pepsi, 7UP, Red Rock
Ecuador		Budweiser		—		Beer:Brahma
Guatemala		Budweiser		—		Beer:Brahva
Paraguay		Budweiser, Stella Artois		—		Beer: Baviera, Brahma, Ouro Fino, Pilsen
Peru		Stella Artois		—		Beer: Brahma, Zenda Soft drinks: Concordia, Pepsi, 7UP, Triple Kola
Uruguay		Budweiser, Stella Artois		—		Beer: Pilsen, Norteña, Patricia Soft drinks: 7UP, Pepsi, H20h
Western Europe
Belgium		Beck’s, Budweiser, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Belle-Vue, Jupiler, Vieux Temps
France		Beck’s, Budweiser, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Belle-Vue, Boomerang, Loburg
Germany		Beck’s		—		Beer: Diebels, Franziskaner, Haake-Beck, Hasseröder, Löwenbräu, Spaten, Gilde
Luxembourg		Beck’s, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Diekirch, Jupiler, Mousel
Netherlands		Beck’s, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Dommelsch, Jupiler, Hertog Jan
United Kingdom		Beck’s, Budweiser, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Bass, Boddingtons, Brahma, Whitbread, Mackeson
Italy		Beck’s, Budweiser, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Franziskaner, Löwenbräu, Spaten
Central & Eastern Europe
Russia		Beck’s, Bud, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Bagbier, Brahma, Klinskoye, Löwenbräu, Sibirskaya Korona, T, Tolstiak
Ukraine		Beck’s, Bud, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Chernigivske, Rogan, Yantar
Asia Pacific
China		Beck’s, Budweiser, Stella Artois		Hoegaarden, Leffe		Beer: Double Deer, Harbin, Jinling, Jinlongquan, KK, Sedrin, Shiliang

The table below sets out our sales broken down by business zone for the periods shown:

Notes:

For a discussion of changes in revenue, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20112012 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2010—2011—Revenue” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review—E. Results of Operations—Year Ended 31 December 20102011 Compared to the Year Ended 31 December 2009—2010—Revenue.”

The table below sets out the breakdown between our beer and non-beer volumes and revenue. Based on our actual historical financial information for these periods, our non-beer activities accounted for 11.9% of consolidated volumes in 2012, 11.5% of consolidated volumes in 2011, and 11.5% of consolidated volumes in 2010 and 10.8% of consolidated volumes in 2009.2010. In terms of revenue, our non-beer activities generated 11.0%9.7% of consolidated revenue in 2011,2012, compared to 11.0% in 2011 and 10.1% in 2010 and 12.3% in 2009 based on our actual historical financial information for these periods.

Notes:

Beer

We manage a portfolio of well over 200 brands of beer. In terms of distribution, our beer portfolio is divided into global, multi-country and local brands. Our brands are our foundation and the cornerstone of our relationships with consumers. We invest in our brands to create a long-term, sustainable and competitive advantage, by meeting the various needs and expectations of consumers around the world and by developing leading brand positions around the globe.

On the basis of quality and price, beer can be differentiated into the following categories:

Our brands are situated across all these categories. For instance, a global brand like Stella Artois generally targets the premium category across the globe, while a local brand like LakeportNatural Light targets the value category in Canada.the United States. In the United States, Bud Light targets the premium light or mainstream category, which is equivalent to the core category in other markets. We have a particular focus on core to premium categories, but will be present in the value segment if the market structure in a particular country necessitates.

We make clear category choices and, within those categories, clear brand choices. Examples of these choices include the focus on the core Quilmes brand in Argentina, on the core category in Brazil, on the light and premium categories in Canada, on core and premium brands in Russia and on the international premium, domestic premium and core categories in China. The majority of our resources are directed to our “focus brands,” those brands that we believe have the greatest growth potential in their relevant consumer categories. In 2011,2012, our focus brands accounted for almost 70%69% of our volume.

From the early 2000s through 2007, we observed a trend where the premium category drove growth in the beer industry. Based on this trend, we established a strategy to select focus brands in certain markets (such as our North America, Western Europe and Central & Eastern Europe business zones) within the core and premium categories. Consumer preferences can change over time, especially in the face of challenging economic circumstances, such as those faced in many markets between 2008 and 2011.2012. However, we believe we are well placed to deal with short-term trend changes from a portfolio perspective, particularly in key countries like the United States, while continuing our long-standing strategy of accelerating growth in the core and premium beer

categories. Our own United States business saw positive mix change in 2011.2012. We aim to continue our strategy of focusing on selected brands, which seeks to address consumers’ desire to trade up from value to core and from core to premium. Another trend is the growing need for consumer choice. Again, with our strong brand portfolio and best practice sharing, we believe we are well-placed to take advantage of this opportunity.

Our portfolio includes three global beers with worldwide distribution:

In addition, we have a multi-country portfolio of brands, which increasingly transcend the distinction between global and local. The key multi-country brands include:

More locally, we manage numerous well-known “local champions,” which form the foundation of our business. The portfolio of local brands includes:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Central & Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific

The branding and marketing of our global brands, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck’s, is managed centrally within our group. Multi-country brands are managed with more flexibility at the local level for branding and marketing, while the marketing and branding of our local brands is generally managed at a local level. See “—B. Business Overview—9. Branding and Marketing” for more information on brand positioning, branding and marketing.

In certain markets, we also distribute products of other brewers.

Non-Beer

Soft Drinks

While our core business is beer, we also have a presence in the soft drink market in Latin America through our subsidiary Ambev and in the United States through Anheuser-Busch. Soft drinks include both carbonated soft and non-carbonated soft drinks.

Our soft drinks business includes both our own production and agreements with PepsiCo related to bottling and distribution. Ambev is one of PepsiCo’s largest independent bottlers in the world. Major brands that are distributed under these agreements are Pepsi, 7UP and Gatorade. Ambev has long-term agreements with PepsiCo whereby Ambev has the exclusive right to bottle, sell and distribute certain brands of PepsiCo’s portfolio of carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks in Brazil. The agreements will expire on 31 December 2017 and are automatically extended for additional ten-year terms unless terminated prior to the expiration date by written notice by either party at least two years prior to the expiration of their term or on account of other events, such as a change of control or insolvency of, or failure to comply with material terms or meet material commitments by, our relevant subsidiary. Ambev also has agreements with PepsiCo to bottle, sell, distribute and market some of its brands in the Dominican Republic and in some regions of Peru, including the north and the Lima regions. Through our Latin America South operations, Ambev is also PepsiCo’s bottler for Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.

Apart from the bottling and distribution agreements with PepsiCo, Ambev also produces, sells and distributes its own soft drinks. Its main carbonated soft drinks brand is Guaraná Antarctica.

In December 2012, Ambev and Monster Energy Company (“Monster”) announced that they had signed a distribution agreement for the sale and distribution of Monster Energy drinks in Brazil. This partnership is expected to benefit both companies through the increase of their presence in the fast growing energy drink segment in Brazil. Operations began at the end of January 2013 under a long-term agreement renewable every five years.

In the United States, Anheuser-Busch also produces non-alcoholic malt beverage products, including O’Doul’s, and O’Doul’s Amber energy drinks and related products. On a limited basis, we have also entered into arrangements under which other non-alcoholic products, and spirits, including Hansen energy drinks (suchsuch as Monster Energy),Energy drinks, are distributed and sold in select markets though the Anheuser-Busch distribution network. In Europe, we also produce non-alcoholic products, including Jupiler Force, Hoegaarden 0.0 and related products.

We are a global brewer, with sales in over 120 countries across the globe.

The last two decades have been characterized by rapid growth in fast-growing emerging markets, notably in regions in Latin America North, Latin America South, Central & Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific, where we have significant sales. The table below sets out our total volumes broken down by business zone for the periods shown: