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A-B, Czech beer Budvar form alliance, despite legal fights

Budvar beer, in the Czech Republic
Budvar beer, in the Czech Republic

By AP/KWMU

St. Louis, MO – St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch and Czech beermaker Budvar have been fighting for nearly a hundred years, but today (Monday) they announced an alliance.

AB will import Budvar's Premium Czech Lager throughout the U.S.; it's sold right now in 30 states.

The two brewers have fought for years over use of the brand name Budweiser, which is a flagship product for both. Both companies claim exclusive rights to the name, and have been suing each other in dozens of countries over the matter.

The brewers also say their distribution deal won't have any impact on their ongoing court battles.

Anheuser-Busch has been making an aggressive push over the last year to distribute more high-end imported beers.

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