AB InBev places 750 mln euros of 5-year notes

BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev INTB.BR, the world's largest brewer, said on Thursday it had placed 750 million euros ($944.8 million) of five-year notes.

The group said it had closed the retail public offering in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg early.

"The total amount placed was five times the level of the initial announcement of the bond," Chief Financial Officer Felipe Dutra said in a statement. "As a result, closing of the subscription period was accelerated."

The notes will settle on Feb. 27, 2009 and mature on Feb. 27, 2014, bearing interest at an annual rate of 6.57 percent.

AB InBev said it was rated Baa2 by Moody's and BBB+ by Standard and Poor's.

The proceeds will be used to repay debt, the brewer said. It is looking to pay down a $45 billion loan it took out for last year's $52 billion purchase of Anheuser-Busch. ($1=.7938 euro) (Editing by Erica Billingham)