"anheuser busch" news and stories

Talk about a poor choice of words.

Yesterday morning, The Wall Street Journal's online "Deal Journal" ran this story entitled "Disaster Averted: Anheuser-Busch Deal Won't Raise Beer Tabs" discussing InBev's victory in a lawsuit (one of many) that sought to slow or stop the InBev takeover of Anheuser-Busch.

Timing-wise however, this report comes on the heals of Anheuser-Busch InBev's major announcement on Monday that the company will lay off about 1,400 employees in the U.S., primarily in the St. Louis area. You think those people feel like disaster was averted?

Come on, Deal Journal. I know sometimes in the fast-paced world of online journalism editorial slips are made, but not only is this headline insensitive, it's not even accurate. "Disaster averted" implies that some proverbial bullet was actively dodged. According to the post, the lawsuit simply posited that the lingering possibility that InBev might build U.S. breweries kept prices low. A judge rejected this unfounded theory, tossing out the lawsuit. That's not averting disaster: That's asserting there was no disaster to begin with.

But regardless, let's keep everything in perspective: Paying a few extra cents for beer is not a disaster. If this economy continues heading in the direction it's going though, we might find out what a disaster really looks like.

[Photo Credit: anheuserbusch.com]

Anheuser-Busch would like me to believe I am reading too much into it, but around the time of the InBev buyout, Budweiser commercials began elevating the patriotism pushing "The Great American Lager" slogan like a comforting pat on the shoulder to say, "Everything will be alright." Maybe its just a coincidence: A-B reminds me the slogan was launched before InBev's bid was finalized. Or maybe marketing knew something I didn't. Either way, hammering home the "King of Beers" at this point might just come a little too close to reminding us of our new European overlords.

Unfortunately, however, slogans require an extra step of association, so for their latest offering, Bud is simply throwing the word "American" right into the product name. A-B chose to debut spots for their forthcoming Budweiser American Ale during the Olympics. (I caught one during a massive 8 hour Olympic-watching marathon -- a near Phelpsian feat, if I do say so myself.) And though Olympic coverage represents an ideal opportunity to court a massive audience, it certainly doesn't hurt that it's served with a side of patriotic pride.

Budweiser American Ale also had been in the works well before the InBev buyout: It's intention is to edge in on the growing craft beer market, hopefully grabbing Anheuser-Busch a piece of the action while wooing some attention back to their flagship. Reasserting Budweiser as the "Great American Lager" is definitely a nice segue into introducing the next great "American Ale." But A-B marketing has got to at least be thinking, Don't you love it when a plan comes together! Naive isn't a word that comes to mind when I think of the big boys down at Bud, so I bet the more this whole InBev/patriotism thing feels like a coincidence, the better job they're doing.

[Photo Credit: budweiser.com]

For my entire life, when it came to American breweries, three names came to mind: Anheuser-Busch, Miller and Coors. Well, in 2002, Miller was purchased by South African Breweries to form SABMiller. In 2005, Coors merged with Canada's Molson to form Molson Coors. And now, the multi-continent conglomerate InBev is buying Anheuser-Busch. It's enough to make your head-spin: You shouldn't need an M.B.A. to get tipsy.

The question becomes, with all of these international buyouts, what true blue American breweries are left?

A lot of companies have been quick to fly the American flag, but fittingly, the new #1 American owned brewery takes their brand name from an American patriot. Boston Beer Company, makers of Sam Adams, is now not only America's largest "craft brewer", it's also the country's largest domestically owned brewery. If that doesn't further blur the line between the modern craft brewery and their macro counterparts, I don't know what does.

So who are in line to be the new "Big 3"? Breaking it down strictly by 2007's beer sales volume here you go: 1) Boston Beer (makers of Sam Adams), 2) Yuengling, and 3) Sierra Nevada.

Surprised? I was. See the entire list (compiled by the not-for-profit Brewers Association) here.

[Photo Credit: yuengling.com / sierranevada.com / samueladams.com]

InBev of Belgium, the world's biggest brewer, is said to be preparing a takeover of Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch is headquartered in my home, St. Louis, Missouri, and has been operating here independently for 156 years. Most of us here in St. Louis have some connection to Anheuser-Busch that goes beyond their beer and the thought of losing them has us a bit worried.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently listed just some of the Anheuser-Busch related institutions in our town:

• Baseball games at Busch stadium
• Free brewery tours
• Grant's farm, a wildlife preserve owned by Anheuser-Busch where visitors can also sample free beer
• Bevo Mill - a restaurant built by Anheuser-Busch on the eve of Prohibition to make saloon-going seem more respectable
• August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area - a 7,000-acre park

My favorite Anheuser-Busch related St. Louis tradition is the free Christmas lights display at the brewery itself. It's beautiful. My second favorite (though if I liked the beer better it would be my first) is that its approximately 6000 St. Louis employees all get a free case of beer every month.

Of course, with a takeover we are worried about losing local jobs, but we are also worried about losing an important member of our community.

Between now and Labor Day, Anheuser-Busch will be selling Michelob ULTRA Fruit Infused Beers - a line-up of three new flavors available in a 12-bottle variety pack, or a single flavor 6-pack. The flavors include Pomegranate Raspberry, Lime Cactus and Tuscan Orange Grapefruit.

From their website, they recommend certain food pairings for each flavor. They state:

Pomegranate Raspberry: Serve with marinated pork and fresh vegetables. The subtle hint of berry in the beer plays off the tenderness of the meat and the light carbonation brings out the flavors in most grilled vegetables.

Tuscan Orange Grapefruit: Serve with lighter foods such as salads and grilled chicken. The tanginess of grapefruit and clean citrus taste enhances the overall flavor of these dishes.

Lime Cactus: Serve with ethnic fare such as spicy chorizo-based dish or carne asada tacos because the beer balances the dishes' heat and brings out the subtle smokiness. It also pairs well with seafood.

Though it sounds good in theory, I will reserve judgment until I'm able to sample them myself. Don't be too quick to judge until you've tried them though - remember what happened with Miller Chill not too long ago?

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