Miller Brewing Co., the US division of the world second largest brewer SABMiller, has spent nearly US$2 million lobbying Congress and federal agencies, the most of any beer company, since Philip Morris sold the brewer last year, reports reviewed by The Associated Press show.

Until July 1 of last year, the Milwaukee-based company's lobbying figures were not available because the company's
activities weren't broken down in Philip Morris' reports. But Miller has since been purchased by South African Breweries PLC, and Miller filed its own reports for the periods covering the second half of last year and the first half of this year.

The Associated Press reviewed lobbying reports by Miller and other beer companies from July 1, 2002 to June 30 of this year. During those 12 months, Miller spent $1.84 million, compared with $1.49 million by St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch and $360,000 by Golden, Colo.-based Coors Brewing Co. Nationally, Anheuser-Busch is first in sales, followed by Miller and then Coors. "We believe in full and complete disclosure," said Miller spokesman Michael Hennick, suggesting that might be a reason the company reports the most lobbying expenses. "We report everything, from pencils and money on consultants, to stationary and rent."

07 October, 2003