TThe Russian joint venture between AB InBev and Anadolu Efes has been renamed Napitki Vmeste (“Drinks Together”) after being placed under state-appointed trusteeship in December 2023. According to Anadolu Efes, the rebranding only affects the logo and trademark, while ownership structure and legal status remain unchanged. The company stressed that all obligations to the state, partners, employees, and consumers continue as before.
The rebranding comes amid stalled efforts by AB InBev to exit the Russian market. The world’s largest brewer has held a non-controlling 50% stake in the venture since its creation in 2018 and has been trying to transfer its share to Anadolu Efes since the start of the Ukraine war (inside.beer, 27.8.2022). However, Russian authorities twice blocked the proposed deal, which would have handed control of the Russian business to Anadolu Efes and left AB InBev with the Ukrainian operations (inside.beer, 8.8.2024; inside.beer, 23.10.2024) AB InBev also owns just under 25% of Anadolu Efes.
The joint venture, controlling about 31% of Russia’s beer market, was seized by presidential decree in December 2024 (inside.beer, 31.12.2024). Moscow justified the move as necessary after Ankara-based Anadolu Efes had agreed in principle to acquire AB InBev’s stake. Russian media reported that the new name was chosen to emphasize “deep integration into the Russian economy.” CEO Nikolay Tyurnikov said the change highlights a “new positioning” and reflects the company’s evolving corporate culture.
Following the announcement, Anadolu Efes’s shares on Borsa Istanbul slumped more than 9%, triggering a temporary trading halt. The sharp drop underscores investor uncertainty over the future of the company’s Russian operations, which remain clouded by political risks and blocked ownership transfers.
