Anheuser-Busch to acquire remaining stake in Babe Wine

Anheuser-Busch, through its affiliate ZX Ventures, is to acquire the remaining stake in US canned wine company Babe Wine.

Launched as Swish Beverages in 2016, Babe Wine was created with the mission to simplify the wine category by introducing a “fun, inclusive and portable product”.

According to Anheuser-Busch, Babe Wine’s portfolio of rosé, pinot grigio and red canned wine has empowered Babe “to be one of the most photographed wines on Instagram”.

ZX Ventures initially acquired a minority stake in the New York-based firm last year.

Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said: “We pride ourselves on putting the consumer first and evolving with them through innovation and cultural engagement, and Babe Wine is in a class by itself when it comes to understanding their drinkers and building brand loyalty.

“We’re looking forward to taking this partnership to the next level and using our distribution capabilities to share Babe’s great portfolio with more consumers around the country.”

David Oliver Cohen, co-founder of Babe Wine, added: “Anheuser-Busch pioneered the modern beverage landscape. We have a dream to make Babe into America’s #1 wine, and A-B has the vision, the capabilities, the people and the network to help us get there.”

Babe Wine will continue to be led by co-founders Josh Ostrovsky, David Oliver Cohen and their senior leadership team.

The deal sees AB InBev-owned Anheuser-Busch continue to expand its Beyond Beer portfolio as it looks to provide consumers with “winning brands for every occasion”.

In February, the company acquired US alcohol company Cutwater Spirits. Founded in 2016 by former Ballast Point executives, Cutwater Spirits has seven mixers, 14 canned cocktails and 16 types of spirits encompassing variations of whiskey, vodka, gin and rum. 

 Other brands in the Beyond Beer unit include HiBall and Spiked Seltzer.