Anheuser-Busch does own Pacifico beer, but the ownership history is a bit more complex. Let’s delve into the details.
The story begins in 1900 when the Cervecería del Pacífico brewery was founded in Mazatlán, Mexico. This brewery was responsible for producing the popular Pacifico beer, which quickly gained a loyal following in Mexico and beyond. However, in 1954, the brewery faced financial difficulties and was subsequently purchased by Grupo Modelo, a major Mexican brewing company.
Grupo Modelo, known for brands like Corona and Modelo, took over the Pacífico brewery and began marketing Pacifico beer as part of its portfolio. Under Grupo Modelo’s ownership, Pacifico beer continued to grow in popularity, becoming one of the leading Mexican beer brands.
Fast forward to 2013, when Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), a Belgian-Brazilian multinational brewing company, completed its acquisition of Grupo Modelo. This acquisition was a significant move in the global beer industry, as AB InBev became the world’s largest brewing company.
As a result of the acquisition, AB InBev gained ownership of Grupo Modelo’s entire brand portfolio, including Pacifico beer. AB InBev’s vast resources and global reach allowed them to expand the distribution of Pacifico beer even further, introducing it to new markets around the world.
However, it’s worth noting that in certain regions, ownership of Pacifico beer may vary. For example, in Australia, Pacifico beer is owned and marketed by Lion, a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings Company Limited. Lion acquired the rights to the Pacifico brand from AB InBev and has been responsible for its distribution in the Australian market since 2020.
While Pacifico beer was initially owned by Cervecería del Pacífico and later Grupo Modelo, it is now ultimately owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev. However, regional ownership and distribution arrangements may vary, as seen with Lion’s ownership of Pacifico in Australia.