Anheuser creates non-alcoholic beverage subsidiary

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc (BUD.N) said on Tuesday it had created a subsidiary to expand its non-alcoholic beverage business.

The maker of Budweiser and Michelob said the subsidiary, 9th Street Beverages LLC, will target consumers of energy drinks, high-end waters and other non-alcoholic specialty beverages.

Anheuser has expanded its non-alcoholic beverage portfolio, which includes brands like 180 Energy, BORBA Skin Balance Water, Icelandic Glacial and Monster, to give it a source of growth as consumer tastes turn more toward spirits, wine, foreign beers and small-batch "craft" beers, causing its core brands to stagnate.

In July, Anheuser accepted a $52 billion takeover bid from InBev that will create the world's largest beer maker and end roughly 150 years of independence for St. Louis-based Anheuser. Pending antitrust approval, the takeover is expected to be completed at the end of the year. (Reporting by Sarah Coffey; Editing by Braden Reddall)