It is no longer just pub gossip: yesterday SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer, confirmed that it is being courted by AB InBev, the biggest. The resulting behemoth would earn about half the industry’s profit. The announcement follows months of deal talks among drinks-makers thirsty for growth. A year ago SABMiller tried and failed to buy third-ranked Heineken. June brought rumours of a union between AB InBev and Diageo, the world’s leading distiller. Most recently, analysts weighed a deal between Diageo and SABMiller. But a tie-up of the two top brewers is in some ways the most logical: SABMiller’s strength in emerging markets complements AB InBev’s in the Americas. But a deal is by no means done. AB InBev has yet to make a formal offer. Under British rules, it must do so by October 14th.