PREVIEW-AB InBev Q3 profit growth seen slowing

* Q3 beer volumes seen down 3 percent

* Core profit growth slowing

* Results due Thursday at 0600 GMT

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR) is braced to report a decline in consumption of its beers such as Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's on Thursday, weighing on profits in the first half. [ID:nL9286279]

The world's largest brewer is expected to have suffered a 3 percent decline in beer volumes, according to a Reuters survey of 16 banks and brokerages, partly due to sluggish European markets and partly because U.S. volumes grew strongly a year ago due to the launch of Bud Light Lime. [ID:nL9286279]

World number two SABMiller (SAB.L) reported a 1 percent decline in volumes for its half year to end September, Heinken's (HEIN.AS) volumes were down 4.7 percent on a like-for-like basis in the third quarter, while Carlsberg's (CARLb.CO) were off 5 percent.

For AB InBev, higher prices should partly compensate for slowing sales, notably in the United States where rival MillerCoors said pricing was strong, and the company's tight cost control should lead to an improvement in the core profit margin. [ID:nN0430497]