8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 16, 2008

ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	1-7823	43-1162835
(State or Other jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Busch Place, St. Louis, Missouri		63118
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 314-577-2000

NONE

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

þ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events.

          On October 16, 2008, Registrant issued a press release regarding the arbitration claims by Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., Diblo S.A. de C.V. and the Grupo Modelo Series A shareholders. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 — Press Release issued by Registrant dated October 16, 2008, regarding the arbitration claims by Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., Diblo S.A. de C.V. and the Grupo Modelo Series A shareholders.

SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC. (Registrant)
By:	/s/ JoBeth G. Brown
	JoBeth G. Brown
	Vice President and Secretary

October 16, 2008
     (Date)

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release issued by Registrant dated October 16, 2008, regarding the arbitration claims by Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., Diblo S.A. de C.V. and the Grupo Modelo Series A shareholders.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For more information, please contact:

Communications: Terri Vogt, 314.577.7750

Investor Relations: Dave Sauerhoff, 314. 577.9009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANHEUSER-BUSCH SAYS GRUPO MODELO ARBITRATION
LACKS MERIT

     ST. LOUIS (Oct. 16, 2008) – Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. (NYSE: BUD) said today that it believes there is no merit to the claims by Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: GMODELOC), Diblo S.A. de C.V. and the Grupo Modelo Series A shareholders in the notice of arbitration filed today against Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., Anheuser-Busch International Inc. and Anheuser-Busch International Holdings Inc.

     The notice of arbitration claims the transaction between Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. and InBev S.A./N.V. (Euronext: INB) violates provisions of the 1993 investment agreement between Anheuser-Busch International Holdings Inc., Modelo and other parties. It seeks pre-closing and post-closing remedies, including an order prohibiting Anheuser-Busch from exercising certain governance rights under the investment agreement, from impairing the right of first refusal of the Series A shareholders under the investment agreement and from any other alleged breach resulting from closing the transaction with InBev or otherwise, as well as monetary damages.

     After review of today’s arbitration notice, Anheuser-Busch International Holdings continues to believe these claims are entirely without merit and it will vigorously contest such claims. Anheuser-Busch expects the arbitration will have no impact on the completion of the transaction with InBev, which is expected to close by the end of 2008, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions.

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding the company’s expectations concerning its future operations, earnings and prospects. On the date the forward-looking statements are made, the statements represent the company’s expectations, but the company’s expectations concerning its future operations, earnings and prospects may change. The company’s expectations involve risks and uncertainties (both favorable and unfavorable) and are based on many assumptions that the company believes to be reasonable, but such assumptions may ultimately prove to be inaccurate or incomplete, in whole or in part. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that the company’s expectations and the forward-looking statements will be correct. Additional risk factors concerning the company can be found in the company’s most recent Form 10-K.