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From Miller to MolsonCoors: How we got here

Posted at 6:01 AM, Oct 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-11 13:31:09-04

The journey of the Miller Brewing Company spans more than 160 years, from its founding in Milwaukee to Molson Coors' anticipated takeover this week.

1855: Frederick Miller emigrates from Germany to Milwaukee, buys the Plank Road Brewery and makes his first batches of beer in America.

1887: Miller begins transporting its own beer for the first time.

1903: Miller High Life is unveiled on December 30.

1949: After surviving Prohibition, Miller reaches one million barrels of production on a yearly basis.

1970: Philip Morris buys Miller Brewing.

1975: Miller launches Miller Lite.

1986: Miller starts Miller Genuine Draft.

2002: South African Breweries buys Miller.

2008: SABMiller and Molson Coors formed their U.S. joint venture. SABMiller owned 58% of the joint venture and Molson Coors 42%.

November 2015: Anheuser Busch Inbev and SAB Miller make agreement for $106 billion; MolsonCoors will acquire SABMiller’s 58% stake in MillerCoors for $12 billion pending worldwide regulatory approvals. This will give Molson Coors full control over the MillerCoors portfolio.

July 2016: U.S. Dept. of Justice joins other regulatory bodies across the globe to approve the ABI/SABMiller merger. As a result, ABI and MillerCoors will remain independent competitors in the U.S.

Expected this week: ABI/SABMiller deal expected to formally close and MillerCoors becomes US Business Unit of Molson Coors, which buys Miller's international group and owns/controls Miller's brands worldwide.

- Various brands will still be brewed in Miller Valley

- Milwaukee remains one of three hometown markets for the company.

Source: MillerCoors