Document Entity Information [Abstract] Document Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Filer Category Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Consolidated Statement Of Income [Abstract] Net sales Sales Net sales excluding excise taxes Sales Revenue, Net, Total Sales Excise taxes on spirits Less: Excise taxes Net sales reduced Less: Excise taxes Net sales excluding excise taxes Net sales excluding excise taxes Net sales excluding excise taxes Net sales excluding excise taxes Net sales Net sales Net sales excluding excise taxes Cost of products sold Cost of goods sold Cost of goods sold Cost of Goods Sold, Total Cost of products sold Gross Profit Gross profit Gross profit Marketing and Advertising Expense Marketing and Advertising Expense, Total Advertising and marketing expense Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Selling, general and administrative expense Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Amortization of intangible assets Business Exit Costs Business separation costs Restructuring Charges Restructuring Charges Restructuring-related charges and credits Restructuring charges Restructuring Charges, Total Restructuring charges (Note 7) Asset Impairment Charges Asset impairment charges (Note 12) Asset Impairment Charges, Total Asset impairment charges The gains and losses included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of assets. Gain Loss On Sale Of Assets Loss on the sale of brands and related assets Loss on sale of assets (Note 2) Gain(Loss) on the sale of brands and related assets Pre-tax loss on the sale of brands and related assets Loss on sale of brands and related assets OPERATING INCOME Consolidated operating income Operating income Operating income Operating income Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt Loss on early extinguishment of debt Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total Loss on the extinguishment of the debt Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other (income) expense Other (expense) income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income tax (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Tax benefit resulted from audit Tax benefit resulted from audit Income taxes from continuing operations as reported Income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from continuing operations Income from continuing operations - Beam Inc. Income from continuing operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations, net of tax Profit Loss Net income Net income Net Income Less: Noncontrolling interests related to discontinued operations Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income Loss Net income attributable to Beam Inc. Net income attributable to Beam Inc. Net income Basic Basic earnings per Beam Inc. common share Continuing operations, Basic EPS Basic - Continuing Operations Continuing operations, Basic Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Continuing operations Discontinued operations, Basic EPS Discontinued operations, Basic Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Discontinued operations Earnings per common share, Basic Net income, Basic EPS Net income Net earnings per basic share Diluted Diluted earnings per Beam Inc. common share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Diluted - Continuing Operations Continuing operations, Diluted EPS Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Discontinued operations, Diluted EPS Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Discontinued operations Earnings Per Share Diluted Net earnings per diluted share Net income Net income, Diluted EPS Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Cash dividends paid on common stock Cash dividends per share paid on common stock Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable from customers Due from Related Parties, Current Due from Related Parties, Current, Total Accounts receivable from related parties Total inventories Total inventories Inventories Other current assets Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Current assets - discontinued operations TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Long-lived assets Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation Property, plant and equipment Goodwill Net book value - December 31 Net book value - January 1 Total goodwill, net Goodwill, Total Goodwill Other intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, net Other intangible assets Net Book Value Net book value Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total Investments in affiliates Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Other assets Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent, Total Non-current assets - discontinued operations TOTAL ASSETS Total assets Total assets Long-lived assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities Debt, Current Debt, Current, Total Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt Accounts payable Accounts payable to vendors Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Accounts payable to related parties Accounts payable to related parties Other current liabilities Other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Total other current liabilities Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Current liabilities - discontinued operations TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES Total current liabilities Long-term debt BS Total long-term debt Total long-term debt Long-term debt Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Accrued pension and postretirement benefits Accrued benefit liability Net amount recognized (pre-tax) Net amount recognized (pre-tax) Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Accrued benefit liability Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent, Total Non-current liabilities - discontinued operations TOTAL LIABILITIES Total liabilities Equity Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Beam Inc. stockholders' equity $2.67 Convertible Preferred stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total $2.67 Convertible Preferred stock Common stock, par value $3.125 per share, 234.9 shares issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, par value $3.125 per share, 750.0 shares authorized, 234.9 shares issued, and 155.9 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained earnings Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Total Fortune Brands stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total Beam Inc. stockholders' equity Noncontrolling interest - discontinued operations Noncontrolling interest - December 31, 2008 Noncontrolling interest - December 31, 2007 Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total TOTAL EQUITY Balance Balance Total equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total liabilities and equity Preferred Stock Dividends Per Share Paid Preferred Stock Dividends Per Share Paid Dividends, per Preferred share Convertible Preferred stock, per share Common stock, par value Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Shares, Balance at the end of the year Common Shares, Balance at the beginning of the year Common stock, shares outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES Operating activities Non-cash pre-tax (income) expense: Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation Depreciation expense Depreciation, Total Amortization Amortization, Total Share-based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Stock-based compensation Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Federal, state and other Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred income taxes Income Tax Credits and Adjustments Tax benefit from income tax audit settlements Income tax credits Tax benefit from income tax audit settlements Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets (Gain) loss on the sale of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets, Total Gain on sale assets Gain on dividend distribution. Gain On Dividend Distribution Gain on distribution from Maxxium Maxxium distribution gain Gain on dividend distribution from Maxxium Gain on dividend distribution from Maxxium Changes in assets and liabilities including effects subsequent to acquisitions: Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions: Decrease in accounts receivable Accounts receivable Decrease (increase) in inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase in accounts payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Decrease in other assets Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities, Total NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash provided by operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investing activities Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Capital expenditures, gross Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested, Total Proceeds from the disposition of assets Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Return of investment in affiliates Repayment of loans by affiliates, net Payments For Proceeds From Loans To Affiliates Payments For Proceeds From Loans To Affiliates Repayment of loans by affiliates, net Repayment of loans by affiliates, net Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Cash transfer to Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. in spin-off Cash transfer to Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. in spin-off Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates, Total Investment in affiliates NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Financing activities Increase (Decrease) in Notes Payable, Current Increase (Decrease) in Notes Payable, Current, Total (Decrease) increase in short-term notes payable, net Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Issuance of debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Dividends to stockholders Dividends to stockholders Payments of Dividends, Total Proceeds received from exercise of stock options Tax benefit on exercise of stock options Tax benefit on exercise of stock options Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest Other financing, net Other financing activities, net NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net cash used in financing activities Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations, Total Change in cash included in assets of discontinued operations Cash paid during the year for (including discontinued operations): Interest Paid Interest Paid, Total Interest Income Taxes Paid Income taxes Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Non-Controlling Interest [Member] Comprehensive income Translation adjustments Foreign currency translation adjustments, net Foreign currency translation adjustments, net Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Derivative instruments, net Derivative instruments, net Derivative instruments Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments, net Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments, net Changes in Pension and Postretirement Adjustments Total comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive loss Comprehensive income attributable to Fortune Brands Total comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive income attributable to Fortune Brands Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests Dividends, Cash Dividends Dividends, Cash, Total Dividends Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued Shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures, Total Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Tax benefit on exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion of preferred stock Minority Interest Decrease From Redemptions Sale of Acushnet Company Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction Spin-off of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. Dividends paid and declared Dividends paid and declared Dividends, per Common share Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Beam Inc. stockholders Total comprehensive income (loss) Description Of Business, Basis Of Presentation, And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block Description Of Business, Basis Of Presentation, And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Acquisitions And Dispositions [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure Text Block Acquisitions And Dispositions Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Investments In Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies [Abstract] Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] Investments In Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Business Separation Costs [Abstract] Business Separation Costs [Abstract] Business separation costs that predominately consist of financial, legal and other separation related advisory fees. Business Separation Costs [Text Block] Business Separation Costs Business Separation Costs Restructuring And Other Charges [Abstract] Restructuring And Related Activities Disclosure Text Block Restructuring And Other Related Charges Other (Income) Expenses [Abstract] Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other (Income) Expense Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Text block Earnings Per Share Balance Sheet Information [Abstract] Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Balance Sheet Information Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure Text Block Derivative Instruments Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure Text Block Fair Value Measurements Debt [Abstract] Debt Disclosure Text Block Debt Leases [Abstract] Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Leases Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract] Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure Text Block Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Two Dollars And Sixty Seven Cents Convertible Preferred Stock Redeemable At Companys Option [Abstract] $2.67 Convertible Preferred Stock - Redeemable At Company's Option Two Dollars And Sixty Seven Cents Convertible Preferred Stock Redeemable At Companys Option Convertible preferred stock disclosure [Text Block] Convertible Preferred Stock Disclosure [Text Block] $2.67 Convertible Preferred Stock - Redeemable At The Company's Option