Jim Beam Now Owned by Japanese Company

Photo credit: Getty Images. Illustration: Jennifer Fox.

Today, huge Japanese beverage company Suntory acquired Beam Inc for a whopping $16 billion. It’s good conversational fodder to discuss over all-American drinks like Jim Beam and Coke (a favorite of frat boys everywhere!) and Maker’s on the rocks. Those two brands are among dozens—along with Knob Creek bourbon, Sauza tequila, and Courvoisier cognac—acquired by the Japanese giant, which also owns Pepsi.

Twitter reactions have been decidedly mixed:

asks one gent, with another declaring,

We’ll be curious to see if American drinkers care enough about ownership to change their buying habits. According to Slate.com, bourbon sales have been steadily on the rise in Asia, which may have spurred the deal.

All we know is that we’re always happy to be reminded of Bill Murray and Suntory Time.

[via The Drinks Business]