Dallas has lost out to Chicago as home of MillerCoors, a joint venture between Molson Coors and SABMiller PLC, the company confirmed Tuesday.

The joint venture was completed two weeks ago.

MillerCoors chose Chicago based on the "goal of becoming the best beer company in America by having access to an attractive base of talent, transportation and business resources," president Tom Long said in a statement.

A Greater Dallas Chamber official said Tuesday that the group hadn't been notified of a decision.

MillerCoors spokesman Julian Green confirmed that the company had looked at office space in downtown Dallas, Irving and Far North Dallas.

"It wasn't a question of why not Dallas, but what we were looking for," Mr. Green said.

He noted the importance of Chicago as an international travel hub, given the company's sites worldwide, and its abundance of landmark buildings.

MillerCoors' Web site listed other determining factors: Chicago's "vibrant, 24-hour" central business district, broad options of affordable housing with easy commutes, and economic incentives to help offset "considerable" relocation costs.

Chicago offered tax-increment financing and Illinois offered tax credits and training and business development grants, according to World Business Chicago, the city's economic development group.