Budweiser Brewer AB InBev's Alternative Drinks Help Steady Slide in Beer Volumes

By Joshua Kirby

Brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev said a move toward other drinks helped offset weaker beer volumes in the third quarter.

The Budweiser maker said volumes of beer it sold in the three months through September fell 0.1% organically on year, but a 4% rise in non-beer volumes helped lift total volumes by 0.4%.

Revenue, meanwhile, increased 4.9% on year to $16.51 billion over the period. Volumes had been expected to rise by 0.3% and revenue by 4.1%, according to a poll of analysts' estimates provided by the company.

The results reverse a recovery in beer booked over the first half of the year, including a 1.1% rise in volumes in the second quarter, lifted by sunny summer weather and soccer's World Cup. In the most recent quarter, volumes of beer sold were lower in North America and Asia Pacific, but grew in other markets.

Third-quarter growth "reflects the strength of our diversified footprint," Chief Executive Officer Michel Doukeris said.

The company backed its outlook for the year, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expected to grow between 4% and 8% compared with a year earlier, in line with midterm targets.

Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 29, 2026 02:40 ET (06:40 GMT)