Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments (Details Textual)

 v2.3.0.11
Investments (Details Textual)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended 7 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2010
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2010
Ruffino [Member]
EUR (€)
May 31, 2010
Ruffino [Member]
EUR (€)
May 31, 2010
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2004
Ruffino [Member]
Shareholder
Aug. 31, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
EUR (€)
Feb. 28, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2010
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2010
Ruffino [Member]
EUR (€)
Oct. 05, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
USD ($)
Oct. 05, 2011
Ruffino [Member]
EUR (€)
Aug. 31, 2011
Crown Imports [Member]
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2010
Crown Imports [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2011
Crown Imports [Member]
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2011
Modelo [Member]
Aug. 31, 2011
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. [Member]
Aug. 31, 2011
Accolade [Member]
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2011
Accolade [Member]
USD ($)
Investments (Textuals)                                            
Ownership percentage of other joint venture partner                                     76.75% 23.25%    
Investment in equity method investments $ 253.4 $ 242.6 $ 253.4         $ 10.3   $ 7.4   $ 10.3       $ 171.3   $ 183.3        
Carrying amount of equity method investment in excess of Company's equity in underlying assets                               13.6            
Cash distributions received                               134.5 156.0          
Number of other shareholders to whom separate irrevocable and unconditional options were granted             2                              
Percentage of shareholder of Ruffino exercising their option to put its entire equity interest in Ruffino to the Company                         9.90%                  
Specified minimum value of the equity interest to be exercised                         23.5                  
Loss recognized on contractual obligation                 43.4 60.0 34.3                      
Cash payment to settle put option 0.1 29.7     23.5 29.6                                
Equity method investment ownership percentage prior to increase         40.00% 40.00%                                
Equity method investments, ownership percentage         49.90% 49.90%                                
Remaining equity interest percentage       50.10%                                    
Value of remaining equity stocks in Ruffino       55.9                                    
Foreign currency gain (loss) on contractual obligation net               0.1       (2.1)                    
Dividends received from Accolade                                         0 0
Equity method investments, ownership     less than 20%                                     less than 20%
Purchase of business                           68.6 50.3              
Debt assumed, net of cash acquired                           $ 73.0 € 54.7              
Option period to be exercised Period starting from January 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2010                                          
Contractual maturity of AFS debt securities 12 years