Anheuser-Busch adds to craft brewing coterie with acquisition of Elysian

Anheuser-Busch says it is buying Seattle-based craft brewer Elysian Brewing Co. for an undisclosed sum.

It is the latest in a string of craft brewery acquisitions by Anheuser-Busch as it tries to counter soft sales of its own brands, such as Budweiser.

Anheuser-Busch and Elysian announced the deal Friday and said it will bring the brewer's popular beers — most notably Immortal IPA — to a larger audience. The deal includes Elysian's brewery business and its four Seattle brewpubs. It is expected to close by the end of the first quarter.

Anheuser-Busch is the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, which is based in Belgium and is the world's largest brewer.