Studying abroad may soon get a lot better.

For the last few years, the lesser beers originating in Colorado and St. Louis have given Milwaukee’s Miller a beating. To prop up their inferior beers, Anheuser-Busch and Adolph Coors have both merged with large foreign breweries to solidify their place as America’s biggest and third biggest beer companies, respectively. The process has squeezed Miller’s prospects — the company has failed to improve its market share over the past 20 years.

Wisconsinites are not the only ones hurting here: American expatriates all over the world are settling for river-water, headache-inducing beer from St. Louis. Even worse, America’s foreign image — currently being debated in pubs and taverns all over the world — is being shaped by America’s second-rate beers.

Fortunately, there is hope.

Earlier this week, rumors surfaced that Miller Brewing Co., America’s second largest brewery, may merge with Scotland’s Scottish & Newcastle and London’s South African Breweries. If the merger goes through — and we hope it does — Wisconsin will be home not only to the world’s finest beer enthusiasts, but the world’s biggest brewing company.

While it’s still premature to crack open the celebratory champagne of beers, this is nevertheless great news for UW students.