Interbrew

Interbrew was a multinational brewing company based in Leuven, Belgium, that existed from 1987 until its 2004 merger with AmBev to form InBev. It emerged from the consolidation of major Belgian brewing interests and grew into a global player with a diversified beer portfolio. The company’s brands and products formed a broad international footprint, including well-known labels such as Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Beck's and Labatt's, among others.

During the 1990s, Interbrew pursued international expansion through acquisitions and alliances, notably acquiring the Labatt Brewing Company of Canada in 1995, which helped establish a North American presence. The firm aimed to leverage cross-border brands and distribution networks to compete on a global scale, integrating operations across Europe, the Americas and beyond. The corporate strategy centered on building scale, portfolio breadth, and geographic reach to reinforce brand-building and efficiency in production and distribution.

In 2004, Interbrew merged with Brazilian brewer AmBev to create InBev, a transaction that formed the world’s largest brewing company at the time. The Interbrew name ceased to exist as the business adopted the InBev branding. In 2008, InBev merged with Anheuser-Busch to form AB InBev, the current parent of many former Interbrew brands. The legacy of Interbrew remains in the product portfolios and corporate lineage of AB InBev, contributing to one of the most expansive beer enterprises in the industry.