Molson Coors Brewing Co and .SABMiller PLC and plan to combine their U.S. operations.

It is expected that this would create a large brewing beast that could end the dominance of Anheuser-Busch in the American beer market.  It will be called called MillerCoors,.

The Wall Street Journal estimates a combined annual revenue of about $6.6 billion and yield if about $500 million in annual cost savings. I am not quite sure what the human cost will with such a joint venture (merger)?  Miller is the second-largest U.S. with 20% market share and Coors Brewing has around 11%.  
I suppose for many beer aficionados’ this doesn't matter a jolt as we will continue to enjoy our micro brews and craft beers.  However, if you are the smaller party of the merger - whoops did I say merger, then you may want to check your employment contract or alternatively set up your own microbrewery.

With September the 16th just passed thoughts turn to the founding fathers and what influences they brought to our shores.  Some that perhaps still persist today.

A little piece below talks about this very thing, courtesy of Brookston Beer Bulletin. http://www.brookstonbeerbulletin.com

Although a little-known holiday, Mayflower Day had a big impact on making beer America’s favorite beverage of moderation.

Sunday, Sept. 16, marks the anniversary of the day the Mayflower departed from England in 1620 in search of the New World. For more than two months, the passengers and crew weathered storms, sickness and starvation without taking to land — until they ran out of beer. Beer was their primary beverage because, at that time, water could have been dangerous.

“Beer’s journey from a beverage of sustenance in colonial times to America’s alcohol beverage of choice is an integral part of our history,” said Bob Lachky, executive vice president, global industry development, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Whether an early settler or a modern adult, Americans share the same appreciation for beer. While today’s adults can enjoy complex varieties, styles and flavors, beer’s refreshment and drinkability remains tried and true.”

In early times, beer was made out of whatever ingredients adults could find, like pumpkins and molasses. Thirteen years before the pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of settlers established a colony in Jamestown, Virginia. In 1609, the governor wrote a note back to England saying he needed two brewers to come over and establish a brewery in Jamestown. Beer was just that important.

Beer continues to reign supreme today. The latest Gallup Poll shows that of the 64 percent of Americans who consume alcohol, beer continues to be their beverage of choice, with 40 percent choosing it over wine and hard liquor.