Beer drinkers file lawsuit against InBev-Anheuser-Busch deal

ST. LOUIS -- Ten angry beer drinkers are trying to derail the largest brewery takeover in history.

The group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming Belgium-based InBev's $52 billion purchase of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. would violate U.S. antitrust law if completed as planned in the coming months.

The suit, filed in Anheuser-Busch's hometown of St. Louis, does not seek financial damages but asks a judge to block the deal. The Department of Justice often reviews large acquisitions to determine if they are legal under U.S. law. But attorneys behind the lawsuit said they want to halt the deal regardless of the verdict in Washington.

"The Justice Department can do whatever they want. They have no absolutely no effect on private actions," said Joseph Alioto, the lead attorney in the case. He declined to say Wednesday who was funding the lawsuit.

Anheuser-Busch said it will fight the suit.

"We believe that the claims alleged in the lawsuit are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against them," Gary Rutledge, vice president of legal and government affairs for Anheuser-Busch, said in a brief statement.

Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona would not confirm or deny whether the agency is reviewing the case.

InBev's proposed purchase of Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, Michelob and other brands, was met with a wave or legal challenges when first announced this summer. Shareholders filed more than a dozen lawsuits, some trying to stop the deal, others trying to hasten it. Anheuser-Busch even sued InBev before it accepted the offer.