Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2009
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Valuation allowance	$ 24	$ 23
Net operating losses in Brazil	9
Reversal of Valuation allowance	20
Deferred tax liabilities not provided on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries	542	390
Additional deferred tax liabilities on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries	121	76
Adjustment to reverse of income tax expense that was incorrectly recognized in prior periods		8
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	13	40	35	26
Reduction in effective income tax rate if recognized	8
Total gross interest and penalties	3	11	8
Foreign credit carryforward	6
U K Non Trading Loss [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Non-trading loss carryforward	42
Brown Forman Beverages Europe [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Non-trading loss carryforward	11
Others [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Other foreign net operating losses	62
Others [Member] | Foreign [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Other foreign net operating losses, expires	20
Other foreign net operating losses, not expired	$ 42