The beer rumor mill is buzzing with speculation about a reported bid for Anheuser-Busch by Belgium’s InBev for $46 billion, as well as a subsequent report of talks between InBev and SABMiller. A potential merger between InBev and A-B, the world’s two largest brewers, has been bandied about for months, but it’s a report in the Financial Times’ FT Alphaville blog that sparked the latest discussion, saying a combination of the companies would create a business capitalized at $100 billion and “constitute the most ambitious piece of corporate consolidation since the onset of the credit crisis last summer.”

Yesterday, FT Alphaville reported InBev also was considering a “Plan B,” or a merger with London’s SABMiller for 22.6 billion pounds.

While reports indicate A-B is less than receptive to the idea, UBS Investment Research Analysts Kaumil Gajrawala, Melissa Earlam and Jason DeRise say the two companies’ geographic footprints have little overlap from an anti-trust perspective. “In fact, there is even complementary of assets in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and China,” they wrote in their analysis of the speculation.

The two companies have relationships in several countries, including the United States, where A-B has exclusive import rights to InBev brands.

On a global basis, such a deal would fill InBev’s need for a global premium brand, the analysts say. “We believe that the Budweiser portfolio of brands could have potential to be rolled out over InBev’s global distribution platform. Global recognition of the Budweiser brand is already high given high-profile sponsorships including the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics in China this year,” the UBS report said. A-B’s 50 percent stake in Mexico’s Modelo also would be attractive to the Belgian company.

Of the reported “Plan B,” UBS says “such a combination would be very attractive in terms of the complementary geographic footprints.” However, several countries could be problematic from an anti-trust standpoint.

Credit Suisse Analyst Carlos Laboy also weighed in on the possibilities, commenting: “We are not nor have we ever been the least bit cavalier about the difficulty of the decision likely to face A-B management should this possibility arise,” he wrote in his analysis. "'The King of Beers’ is not meant ironically; A-B’s roots are deeply entrenched in a stable, multicentury family brewing tradition. For a proud and patriotic company like A-B, where the quality of life for employees is very high, we believe that selling to a foreign entity that focuses so hard on cost control as a way to create value would be extraordinarily difficult.”

Laboy also reiterated the rumor status of the report, saying, “It is impossible to determine whether a deal is cooking or not.”

Wirtz Beverage Group, Chicago, announced the appointment of three industry veterans to lead Judge and Dolph. David Lockie, a 24-year veteran of the wine, spirits and beverage industries will become vice president and general manager of the Spectrum Wine Division where he will lead the strategic objectives of Judge and Dolph and expand the company’s premium wine brands.

Also joining Judge and Dolph are Dan Keller, as director of the Spectrum Fine Wine Division, and Derek Holmes, as director of the Spectrum Corporate Accounts Division. Keller will oversee the fine wine division at Judge and Dolph, and Holmes will manage brand and sales managers to drive brand strategy, advance supplier relationships and increase company performance.

“The wealth of experience and industry knowledge these individuals bring only strengthens our leadership position,” said W. Rockwell Wirtz, Judge and Dolph president, in a statement. “Further, they will play a critical role in the transition and strategic growth plan of the new company.”

Ardea Beverage Co., Minneapolis, announced the launch of its Nutrisoda nutrient-enhanced beverage in 12-ounce glass bottles available in the Midwest/Great Lakes region; Chicago; St. Louis; Kansas City, Mo.; Indianapolis; Cincinnati; Daytona; Ohio; Portland, Ore.; Florida; San Diego and Seattle.

“People love Nutrisoda, so to satisfy growing consumer demand, we are providing another convenient packaging choice,” said Richard Wilson, president and general manager of Ardea Beverage Co. “The premium bottle design will help drive trial in more channels and reach more consumers.”

The five flavors available in bottles are: Immune, a combination of sparkling tangerine and lime; Calm, sparkling wild berry and citron; Focus, sparkling mango and peach; Energize, sparkling mandarin and mint; and Radiant, sparkling pomegranate and blackberry. The label on the glass bottles resembles the 8.4-ounce Nutrisoda cans. Read more about Nutrisoda’s glass bottles.

Tropicana Products Inc. launched a new line of 100 percent natural lemonade under the Coastal Groves brand name. The lemonades are offered in three flavors — Original Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade and Peach Lemonade — and are available in 64-ounce cartons with a suggested retail price of $2.99. Find out more about the new lemonades.

Apple & Eve released Northland Cranberries Pomegranate Plus, a pomegranate juice that combines antioxidants and 10 vitamins. Available in two flavors, Pomegranate Blueberry and Pomegranate Cherry, Pomegranate Plus is fortified with vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, B12, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc with no added sugars or sweeteners. Read more about the new juices.

Pernod Ricard USA expanded its Kahlúa family of coffee liqueurs with Kahlúa Mocha. Made with a blend of 100 percent Arabica coffee, natural vanilla and dark chocolate, Kahlúa Mocha can be enjoyed over ice and in cocktails, the company says. Find out more about the product.