"anheuser-busch" news and stories

You've probably heard that Anheuser-Busch is purchasing Chicago-based Goose Island Brewery for around $39 million. Most of us who like craft beer are happy about the acquisition, since it means the beer will reach more parts of the country, but some industry insiders are concerned that it might mean a decline in quality for the brand. Ben Worcester of The Huffington Post breaks down what the purchase means for beer fans -- and for both companies.

Read the full story at The Huffington Post.

In my early 20s I was an indiscriminate drinker, with my taste buds and intoxication level governed by my wallet. I filled my stomach with lowest-common-denominator liquor and beer -- preferably free. An open bar could make me try any reprehensible beverage, which explained why, at 24, I often turned my tongue orange on Sparks.

But instead of a gimmicky malt beverage, an unlikely beverage is inviting twentysomethings to take a free test drive: Budweiser. In a new ad campaign called "Grab Some Buds," Anheuser-Busch is hoping to introduce young drinkers to the pleasures of its innocuous lager. The campaign culminates with Budweiser National Happy Hour on September 29th, when bargoers can suck down six to 12 ounces of free Bud.

Is this a kind gesture on A-B's part? Hardly. Last year, Bud sales nose-dived 9 percent, and the numbers are looking equally grim in 2010. Craft beer, light beer and even crappier sub-premium beer (mmm...Keystone Light) have sapped the Clydesdale brand's strength.

We look at what has the beer blogs bubbling these days.

1. Tonight's screening of "Beer Wars" -- a "no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry" -- is generating a lot of chatter, some positive and some not so much.
2. A "documentary" from St. Louis's Schlafly Brewery is much less controversial. The takeaway? Beer is good.
   
3. Kasper On Tap mulls over the best state for suds-o-philes to live based on the brewery-to-population ratio. Mississippi, you're in trouble, with only one brewery for your nearly 3 million residents.
4. Brookston Beer Bulletin discusses Life after Anheuser-Busch, a report on what high-profile former A-B employees are doing since the company was bought out by InBev.
   
5. Rolling Rock is up for sale. Want to buy it?
6. Beernews.org has updated their Craft Beer Releases Calendar, an excellent way to see what seasonals and new releases are soon to hit shelves.
7. Lyke 2 Drink asks "Are Beer Festivals Recession Proof?" (His answer: Yes, for now.)
8. Finally, according to DRAFT Magazine, a beer at the Masters only cost $2! By modern sporting event standards, that is amazing. We wouldn't believe it unless we saw it with our own eyes: Was anyone there?
   

If you're like me, you have no children and life is sweet and easy. (Pause added here for angry parental backlash.) But let's say I did have kids: I'm sure one of the few pleasures in which I could have previously partaken was knowing I'd always have the opportunity for a free beer tasting if I took my imaginary wee ones to an Anheuser-Busch-owned theme park such as, say, Sea World. (We all know Shamu excitement is enhanced after a few taster brews.)

Well, say goodbye to dad's break from family fun time. Anheuser-Busch has announced it's removing free beer samples from hospitality centers in its theme parks such as Sea World and Busch Gardens. Instead, they'll be replacing them with restaurants that have "broader appeal."

A quick check on Thesaurus.com reminds us that "broader appeal" is synonymous with "earning potential." Also, instead of "free samples," hospitality centers will now offer "free lessons in the harsh realities of big business." Let the good times roll!

[via USA Today]

An old friend came into town this Sunday. We kicked off the celebration with a bottle of DeuS and, long story short, I haven't gotten around to blogging until today. Perfect time to catch up on this week's beer happenings with a beer blog round-up.

1. There's been a lot of chatter about the Men's Fitness list of "America's five best bars for beer lovers." In today's beer climate, limiting the list down to just 5 seems impossible, and, with as little offense to Men's Fitness as possible, I'm not sure if they are the magazine to do it.
   
2. The idea of healthy beer has been a headturner as a number of blogs and news sites have been running the story of scientists at Rice University who integrated the anti-aging chemicals from red wine into a new BioBeer. Here's what Discovery had to say about it.
3. Hipsters really seemed to Digg this article on Sloshspot discussing The Evolution of Pabst Blue Ribbon's Beer Advertising. Or you can just drop into Bob & Barbara's on South St. in Philadelphia and see it all firsthand.