Anheuser-Busch InBev Nears $700 Million Deal to Acquire BeatBox Beverages

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is closing in on a roughly $700 million acquisition of BeatBox Beverages, according to people familiar with the ongoing negotiations; a move that would deepen the brewing giant’s expansion into the booming ready-to-drink alcohol category.

Sources told The Wall Street Journal that talks between AB InBev and BeatBox’s parent company, Future Proof, have progressed significantly and could result in a finalized agreement “soon,” provided discussions don’t break down. The deal would value BeatBox at approximately $700 million.

AB InBev and BeatBox have declined to comment publicly. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, BeatBox Beverages has become one of the fastest-growing RTD alcohol brands in the United States.

• Distributed in all 50 U.S. states
   
• Available in 120,000+ retail locations
   
• Portfolio of 20 SKUs, including Blue Razzberry, Mystic Grape, Orange Blast, Lemon Squeeze, and Sweet Heat Cinnamon
   
• Expanded to the UK in October, securing distribution in 700 Morrisons stores

BeatBox’s momentum has been fueled by high-profile investors including Shaquille O’Neal and Mark Cuban, though the company says it maintains a “diverse number of private investors.”

Future Proof, BeatBox’s parent company, also recently announced plans to launch Chillitas, an RTD flavored malt beverage line, beginning March 2026.A potential acquisition of BeatBox would mark AB InBev’s latest move to broaden its portfolio beyond traditional beer amid shifting consumer preferences. The Belgium-based brewer has steadily invested in adjacent categories:

• In 2019, AB InBev acquired Cutwater Spirits, giving the company an early footprint in canned cocktails.
   
• In 2021, it launched Nütrl Vodka Seltzer in the U.S.
   
• In 2024 and 2025, it expanded into functional beverages and energy drinks through a partnership with 1st Phorm.
   
• Most recently, the company rolled out Skimmers, a vodka iced tea RTD brand.

A BeatBox deal would add one of the most recognizable high-ABV, party-centric RTD brands to AB InBev’s roster… a category that continues to see rapid growth across the U.S. and Europe. RTDs remain one of alcohol’s fastest-growing segments, especially among younger legal-age consumers seeking portable, flavorful, and high-ABV alternatives to beer and spirits. BeatBox’s colorful branding and shareable packaging have made it a standout in the space.

A $700 million buyout would rank among the most significant RTD acquisitions of the decade and cement AB InBev’s ambitions to diversify beyond beer.Industry analysts say the proposed deal underscores heavyweight brewers’ aggressive pursuit of premium RTD brands with proven retail traction. While no terms have been finalized, the transaction would represent a major shift in AB InBev’s U.S. beverage strategy if completed.

BeatBox has not commented publicly on the negotiations.

About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) is the world’s largest brewer, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The company’s global portfolio includes iconic beer brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona (outside the U.S.), and Michelob Ultra. In addition to beer, AB InBev has expanded into ready-to-drink beverages, spirits, and functional drinks through a mix of acquisitions and new brand launches. The company operates in more than 50 countries and serves consumers worldwide across multiple beverage categories.

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