Miller acquired the rights to sell Grolsch after its corporate parent, London-based SABMiller Plc, in February completed its purchase of brewer Royal Grolsch NV. Anheuser-Busch, which began selling Grolsch in the United States in 2006, said today it expects to end its distribution rights by Aug. 1.
Grolsch becomes the newest import in Miller's portfolio, which includes other brands owned by SABMiller, such as Pilsner Urquell, from the Czech Republic, and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, an Italian beer. Anheuser-Busch's imports include U.S. distribution rights for Stella Artois, Beck's and Bass Pale Ale.
My memory of the beer is always better than when I actually pop one open, probably because it sits on the shelves forever. But if Miller is distributing Grolsch, they have to keep the distinctive green bottles with the attached bottle-stopper.
