Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 101.3	$ 62.4	$ 179.7	$ 124.1
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(0.8)	266.2	(0.1)	285.7
Net income attributable to Beam Inc.	100.5	328.6	179.6	409.8
Less: Preferred stock dividends	(0.1)	(0.1)	(0.2)	(0.2)
Income attributable to Beam Inc. common stockholders - basic	$ 100.4	$ 328.5	$ 179.4	$ 409.6
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	158.0	154.3	157.5	154.0
Dilutive effect of conversion of convertible preferred stock	1.3	1.0	1.3	1.1
Dilutive effect of exercise of stock-based awards	1.5	2.0	1.4	1.8
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	160.8	157.3	160.2	156.9
Continuing operations, Basic EPS	$ 0.64	$ 0.40	$ 1.14	$ 0.80
Discontinued operations, Basic EPS	$ (0.01)	$ 1.73		$ 1.86
Net income	$ 0.63	$ 2.13	$ 1.14	$ 2.66
Continuing operations, Diluted EPS	$ 0.63	$ 0.40	$ 1.12	$ 0.79
Discontinued operations, Diluted EPS	$ (0.01)	$ 1.69		$ 1.82
Net income	$ 0.62	$ 2.09	$ 1.12	$ 2.61
Antidilutive stock-based awards excluded from weighted average number of common shares outstanding for diluted EPS	7.0	8.8	7.0	8.5