InBev sells unit to gain Budweiser OK

LEUVEN, Belgium, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Belgian brewer InBev NV has moved closer to its acquisition of Anheuser-Busch Cos. by agreeing to sell Labatt USA, InBev officials say.

Labatt USA is a small sales arm held by the Belgian-Brazilian brewing conglomerate, which will sell the 55-person operation to comply with U.S. Justice Department antitrust requirements, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

Although InBev's markets and those of Anheuser-Busch, maker of Budweiser beer, have little overlap, U.S. officials required the Labatt USA sale because without it, the merger likely would have prompted higher beer prices in upstate New York, where Labatt's brands are popular in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, the Journal reported.

InBev officials told reporters they expect to complete the Anheuser-Busch transaction "as soon as practicable," with some beverage industry analysts saying the deal may be completed next week.

British and Chinese regulators have yet to give their blessing, the newspaper said.