Anheuser-Busch InBev’s chief executive says a study of SABMiller’s African beer markets and talks with top shareholders led to an “alignment of stars” that drew it to its nearest rival.

BREWING giant SABMiller agreed to buy Foster’s Group for a sweetened price of A$9.9 billion (€7.48bn) yesterday after talks between the two last week ended in a couple of beers which sealed the deal this week.

Melbourne/London: SAB Miller said it would keep talking to Foster’s Group after Australia’s largest brewer rejected the global giant’s A$9.5 billion (€6.9bn) cash takeover offer as too low.

SABMiller unveiled a takeover deal worth $7.8bn (£4.48bn/€6.5bn) today to cement its position as the world’s second-largest brewer.