Pabst splits CEO, chairman roles as it picks new executive

Pabst, the largest beer maker based in the U.S., says it's hiring a new CEO from the maker of Ommegang ales and other beers.

The Los Angeles company said Simon Thorpe will become its CEO on Thursday. Thorpe is the former president and CEO of Duvel Moortgat USA, a unit of a Belgian company. He was also an executive for AB InBev, the world's largest brewer and the maker of Budweiser and many other beers.

Eugene Kashper, who has been chairman and CEO of Pabst since he and a group of partners bought Pabst two years ago, will give up the CEO role but remain company chairman.

Pabst was founded in 1844. Its brands include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lone Star, Rainier, Ballantine IPA, Schlitz, Old Style, Stroh's and Old Milwaukee.