Not too many people would disagree that a marriage is an exciting amalgamation of two people, but it also requires patience and understanding as two separate entities become a family. Although the emotions are different, mergers and acquisitions in the business world require the same patience and understanding.

As we await regulatory approvals regarding the merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and SABMiller, no time seems more pertinent than now to be mindful of the affect that mergers and acquisitions are having on the beverage industry.