Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Warren Buffett’s brewing company has acquired a stake in Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., US biggest brewer.

Neither company has disclosed the number of shares purchased, or the value of the deal. Acquisitions by GEICO, a Berkshire subsidiary, range between $200 million to $300 million.

"We yearn to buy more fractional interests similar to those we now own or -- better still -- more large businesses outright," Buffett wrote in an annual letter to shareholders. "We will do either, however, only when purchases can be made at prices that offer us the prospect of a reasonable return on our investment."

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. has had hard times of late as more consumers are switching to wine from beer, with beer share in the market for liquors represents around 56% as compared to 60% a few years ago. Sales have even posted a 3% drop in the first quarter of 2005. Anheuser lowered its 2005 profit outlook in April, expecting to earn only 1% to 4% this year than in 2004. Still, many investors sees value in the company that has been very successful with its marketing campaigns.