Many of the 2800 US Olds dealers had made sizable investments in efforts to prop up fading Olds brand which sold 1 mil cars back in 86, but just about 300,000 in 2000, sez Automotive News. But GM will discontinue, sez it has package to pay cash, repurchase vehicles, signage, parts, etc that goes beyond contracts and state franchise laws. Is it enuf? Will franchisees come out close to whole?

State ct judge dismissed AB counterclaim that Rudy Maris and sons Burt and Bart were involved in RICO (racketeering) scheme along with Maris associate Irvin Philpot to defraud AB during termination/negotiations to sell Maris biz back in 96 and early 97. Judge ruled Dec 19 that tho Philpot was convicted of crimes with regard to different biz, "it has absolutely nothing to do with the Marises' activities vis-à-vis" AB. Even if Maris family conduct was illegal, "no evidence of a RICO violation," judge continued. Also dismissed AB counterclaim that Rudy, Bart and Burt personally interfered with a biz relationship, since Marises had "identical interest" with Maris Dist Co. Maris filed notice of appeal in fed case, but no papers yet.

AB's biggest intl play in yrs—buying 14% of Chilean brewer CCU for $224 mil—strengthens its tie with co that has 90% of Chilean beer mkt, 11% in Argentina. (AB already had piece of CCU's Argentinian sub.) South American mkts (total 117 mil bbls) ain't easy to crack. In 9 of 12 countries, leading player already has at least 80 share, according to HVB Capital Mgmt…… Across Atlantic, Interbrew-Bass fallout continues. Belgian govt official Charles Picque blasted UK decision to stop Interbrew's Bass buy. He's takin' it to European Commissioner, but not likely to get even a review there, according to several wire stories. Speculation rampant about who will buy Bass, with usual suspects Heineken, SAB in forefront. Tho Reuters (and Express) reported that Carlsberg "ready to pounce," Carlsberg exec told Danish papers he has no plans to make bid, doubted Carlsberg could get approval. (Brits rejected Carlsberg-Tetley attempt to buy Bass a few yrs ago.) Two questions: Will big US brewer now make play for Bass? What will Interbrew buy after it sells Bass?

As we put together 2000 estimates for big brewers, looks like AB built lead over Miller to about 57 mil bbls last yr. In 1970, AB had 17-mil-bbl lead. In 80, "just" 13 mil bbls ahead. In 90, AB was up by 43 mil bbls. Lots, lots, lots more brewer numbers in next BMI.

Incredibly, imports shipments gained 1 mil bbls, 23% Aug-Oct 2000.  Up another 230,000 bbls, 16.5% in Oct, following 18% gain in Sep, 35% gain in Aug.  That put import gain at a whopping 1.9 mil bbls, 12.8% yr-to-date.   If imports gained 10% Nov-Dec, imports would have hit 20-mil-bbl mark in 2000, points out Matt Hein at Beer Inst.   Compare over 2-mil-bbl import gain to domestic taxpaids, which  are up 900,000 bbls thru Nov, but face an undoubtedly down Dec.

Hard to remember last time a specialty brewer went public. But tiny Philly brewer/brewpub Red Bell filed SEC statement Dec 8. Quick read shows it needs cash, badly. Red Bell sold just 4,882 bbls in 99 with $$$ sales down 31%. For 9 mos 2000, sales $$ held even, but net loss was $915K. "Cumulative losses" since Red Bell inception: $7.2 mil. Also: Red Bell "has not been able to pay its long-term debt obligations as they become due," didn't make "significant payment" of debt last 3 yrs, its auditors have "raised doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern," and its main brewery premises "are subject to six mortgages." Yet Red Bell has long-term goal: to become "premier brew pub operator along the eastern seaboard" by "creating a vast network of brewpubs." Got great brand name tho: Ahopalypse Now!

Ain't just US brewers enjoyin' better times. In Brazil, 4th biggest beer mkt in world, production up 5.6% to just under 70 mil bbls, sez Brazil brewers assn. In Russia, beer biz flyin'. Domestic production jumped 23% to just under 47 mil bbls in 2000, according to recent report by A&G Info Services. If accurate, means Russia 7th biggest intl mkt last yr, passing Mexico and closing on UK.

Hot Pennsy brewer Yuengling just became latest supplier to leave AB distribs in a key mkt. Switched from 2 AB distribs in NJ; went to Coors/Corona network. Since AB has made exclusivity such an issue, some non-AB suppliers in AB houses are more wary that they can get right kind of attention from an AB distrib. That's 1 of angles in recent Heineken consolidation moves in NY too.

Check out these share price gains for top brewers in 2000: AB up 30% to $45.50, Coors up 58% to $80.31, Genesee up 61% to $36.25, Boston Beer up 25% to $8.81 and Heineken up 34% to $64.45!! Philip Morris up 87.7% to $44.00 tho that follows 57% drop in 99. AB only major brewer that also had share price gain in 99. Any beer co losers in 2000? Redhook share price down to $1.53, -34%, after 50% drop in 99.