Despite there being little to suggest a takeover of SABMiller, the largest brewer before Inbev's deal with A-B, or a possible merger with Heineken, which earlier this year finalised with Carlsberg the joint takeover of Scottish & Newcastle, the brewing industry seems caught up in a wave of consolidation as pressures mount to trim costs. As such, observers predict it won't be too long before SABMiller gets together with a rival.