Anheuser-Busch plans to acquire a majority stake in BeatBox, a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage that is known for its “bold, fruit-forward ‘Party Punch’ flavors.” Anheuser-Busch said it is acquiring 85% of BeatBox for a purchase price of up to approximately $490 million, with a path to 100% ownership after five years. The transaction is subject to approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
The transaction adds to A-B’s Beyond Beer portfolio, which already includes Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer and Phorm Energy. “As a top 10 RTD brand in the industry, BeatBox complements A-B's Beyond Beer portfolio and brings flavors and styles that are incremental to the company’s current RTD offerings,” Anheuser-Busch said.
“We could not be more excited to welcome BeatBox, one of the fastest-growing RTD brands in the industry, to our portfolio,” said Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch. “I have spent the past year getting to know Justin and the team at BeatBox, and I’m confident that their entrepreneurial spirit, their commitment to consistent innovation, and their ability to connect with their consumers will be a strong complement to our existing team and capabilities. We have a proven playbook for building winning brands, and I look forward to partnering with BeatBox and embarking on their next chapter of dynamic growth together.”
“When we started BeatBox in 2011, we could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead,” said Justin Fenchel, co-founder and CEO, BeatBox. “We’ve been so fortunate to build something that truly resonates with people, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. Our long-standing relationships with the Anheuser-Busch team made this partnership feel like the right next step.”
In August, BeatBox launched its new flavor Mystic Grape. “Grape-flavored beverages are enjoying a powerful resurgence across the beverage industry. According to IRI data, grape has seen double-digit year-over-year growth in the flavored malt and RTD categories, signaling strong consumer demand for bold, recognizable fruit flavors,” BeatBox said at the time. Mystic Grape is BeatBox's 16th flavor.