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Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Millions
3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011
Apr. 30, 2010
Apr. 30, 2009
Apr. 30, 2008
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]        
Valuation allowance $ 23 $ 40    
Loss and credit carryforwards U.S. capital losses 50 56    
Foreign credit carryforwards 8      
Deferred tax liabilities not provided on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries 390 365    
Additional deferred tax liabilities on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries 76 73    
Adjustment to reverse of income tax expense that was incorrectly recognized in prior periods 8      
Gross unrecognized tax benefits 40 35 26 35
Reduction in effective income tax rate if recognized 22      
Total gross interest and penalties 11 8 6  
Increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits 0      
U.K. Non Trading Loss [Member]
       
Additional Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]        
Non-trading loss carryforward 47      
Others [Member]
       
Additional Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]        
Other foreign net operating losses 56      
Others [Member] | Foreign [Member]
       
Additional Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]        
Other foreign net operating losses, Expire 25      
Other foreign net operating losses, not Expire 31      
Brown-Forman Beverages Europe [Member]
       
Additional Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]        
Non-trading loss carryforward     $ 13