By AP/KWMU
Leuven, Belgium – Shareholders of the brewing giant InBev overwhelmingly approved a buyout of Anheuser-Busch Monday morning.
The $52 billion takeover will create the world's largest brewer and its third-largest consumer products company.
Officials from both companies announced the deal in July, though InBev had been preparing for a hostile takeover.
The Belgian company has a Brazilian management team. It owns hundreds of beer brands, including Beck's and Stella Artois in Europe and Brahma in Brazil.
Once Anheuser-Busch shareholders approve the deal, InBev will also control half the American beer market.
InBev has promised to keep Anheuser's 12 North American breweries open as long as the firm does not face any more U.S. taxes.
The new company will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev.