There's a thin line between patriotism and parochialism, and InBev's proposed acquisition of Anheuser-Busch, maker of the iconic Budweiser beer, has prompted many Americans to show both these emotions, as well as many shades in between. (See: InBev bids for US brewer Anheuser-Busch for $46.3 billion)

Many American are livid at what they consider a sell-out of an iconic American brand to a Belgian outfit. Anheuser-Busch has for long marketed Budweiser as the consummate American beer, as integral to the country's way of life as baseball and apple pie (recent Budweiser ads call the brew "The Great American Lager''), and many Americans feel that this may change post takeover.

InBev attempted to address concerns about foreign ownership in its offer letter to Anheuser-Busch, calling the Budweiser brand "iconic" and promising to position it as the company's "global flagship brand." The company has pledged not to close any of Anheuser-Busch's 12 breweries. However, many Americans, especially from the conservative heartland, aren't willing to be mollified by this argument.

Since the announcement on 11 June, opponents of the proposed buyout have launched web sites and petitions to scuttle the sale. The site SaveAB.com calls the company "the spirit of our country... giving millions of Americans the pursuit of happiness'' and urges people and lawmakers to "fight the foreign invasion of A-B".

"We will take to the Internet, to the streets, to the marble halls of our capitals, whatever it takes to stop the invasion. This Bud's for you and the USA !"  the website proclaims.

Former chief of staff to Missouri governor Matt Blunt has allegedly founded the site. The governor has already directed the state's economic development department to find a way to keep Anheuser-Busch in American hands. Senator Kit Bond joined issue and urged US attorney general Michael Mukasey to scrutinize the deal closely for antitrust concerns because it would put "a significant market share of the US in the hands of fewer competitors."

This is not the first time that nationalistic sentiments have been whipped up regarding the acquisition of an American brand by a foreigner. The Mitsubishi Estate's decision to buy Rockefeller Center in 1989 caused concerns because the deal came amid strong concerns about rising Japanese dominance in key industries such as semiconductors.

China's CNOOC dropped its bid for Unocal in 2005 after opponents raised questions about that country's increasingly competitive stance in defense and energy. As late as two years ago, congressional opposition prevented a company owned by the government of Dubai from taking control of six American ports.

However, the major difference between these situations and the InBev-Anheuser Busch deal is the absence of strategic importance of the latter. The US Treasury Department's Committee on Foreign Investment can block a sale only if it raises security concerns, something not expected of a transaction involving alchoholic beverages.

Blunt, the Missouri governor was also quite blunt in his statement "there is no immediate tool available at the state level to stop it." Should the board approve the sale - still a very big if - Budweiser will taste the same, and Americans will probably keep right on drinking it.''