6-K 1 pr.htm CU: "CCU S.A. ANNOUNCES NEGOTIATIONS WITH CONTROL"

News Release

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

COMPAÑIA CERVECERIAS UNIDAS S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

UNITED BREWERIES COMPANY, INC.

(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

Republic of Chile

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Bandera 84, Sixth Floor, Santiago, Chile

(Address of principal executive offices)

_________________________________________

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F X Form 40-F ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ___ No X

Attached is a press release of the Company dated February 23, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Luis Eduardo Bravo / Jorge Bustos

Investor Relations Department

Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.

(56-2) 427-3581 or 427-3416

CCU S.A. ANNOUNCES NEGOTIATIONS WITH CONTROL

(Santiago, Chile, February 21, 2005) The Company announced today negotiations between CCU and Cooperativa Agrícola Control Pisquero de Elqui y Limarí Ltda. ("Control"), an important player in the pisco industry. These negotiations involve the production and sale of pisco and it will be submitted to the approval of Control's Assembly next March 12.

This strategic association contemplates the participation of Control and CCU, the latter through its subsidiary Pisconor S.A. ("Pisconor"), as partners in a new stock corporation ("the corporation"), to which the companies will contribute principally with assets and commercial brands. Pisconor will hold the majority of the shares in the corporation which, according to ACNielsen, would have a 52% market share in the pisco business. The deal also involves a long-term grape supply contract between the corporation and Control.

CCU is a diversified beverage company operating principally in Chile and Argentina. CCU is the largest Chilean brewer, the second-largest Argentine brewer, the third-largest Chilean soft drink producer, the second-largest Chilean wine producer, the largest Chilean mineral water producer, the third player in the pisco business and participates in the confectionery industry. The Company has licensing and/or joint venture arrangements with Heineken Brouwerijen B.V., Anheuser-Busch Incorporated, PepsiCo Inc., Paulaner Brauerei AG, Schweppes Holdings Limited, Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited and Watt's Alimentos S.A. >

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized

.

Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.

(United Breweries Company, Inc.)

/s/ Ricardo Bartel

Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 23, 2004