1. Anheuser-Busch InBev is a multinational drink and brewing company based in Leuven, Belgium. It is considered the largest beer company worldwide, offering a diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands including global brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona.
2. The company was founded as a single brewery in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1852, originally named Bavarian Brewery. German immigrant George Schneider established the brewery, later selling it due to financial struggles, marking the beginning of Anheuser-Busch’s storied history.
3. Eberhard Anheuser, a German soap manufacturer who had emigrated to the U.S. in the 1840s, bought the struggling Bavarian Brewery in 1860. He renamed it to E. Anheuser & Co.
4. Adolphus Busch, also a German immigrant, married Eberhard Anheuser’s daughter, Lilly, in 1861. He eventually became a partner in his father-in-law’s business, helping it grow to be the largest brewery in St. Louis.
5. Adolphus Busch was an innovator in the beer industry. He was the first to use pasteurization to keep beer fresh, introduced artificial refrigeration, refrigerated railcars and rail-side icehouses to maintain the beer’s quality during transportation.
6. Budweiser, one of Anheuser-Busch’s most famous beer brands, was introduced in 1876. Its recipe was inspired by the Czech town of Budweis. Adolphus Busch had the vision of creating a national beer brand at a time when most breweries served a local or regional market.
7. In the early 20th century, under the leadership of August A. Busch Sr., Anheuser-Busch survived the Prohibition period (1920-1933) by diversifying into the production of soft drinks, truck bodies, and other products.
8. When Prohibition ended, Anheuser-Busch quickly returned to its primary business of brewing beer. The company invested heavily in modernizing its operations and rebuilding its brand.
9. August A. Busch Jr., also known as Gussie Busch, took over the business in 1946 and remained at the helm for many years. He was instrumental in growing the company into a national powerhouse in the U.S. beer industry.
10. Anheuser-Busch was the first brewer to use six-pack cartons for retail beer sales, which allowed consumers to more easily carry beer home from stores. This innovation revolutionized the packaging of beer and is now a standard in the industry.
11. The company’s Clydesdale horses have been a symbol of the Anheuser-Busch brand since 1933. The horses were a gift from August A. Busch Jr. to his father to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition.
12. Beyond beer, Anheuser-Busch InBev also owns several soft drink brands, which it acquired to diversify its product portfolio. This includes energy drinks and bottled water brands.
13. Anheuser-Busch InBev has significant market presence in several countries, including the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. It employs tens of thousands of people worldwide.
14. In 2008, Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion, creating the multinational brewing company known today as Anheuser-Busch InBev.
15. Anheuser-Busch operates 12 breweries in the United States. These facilities are responsible for producing the bulk of the company’s beer.
16. Anheuser-Busch is known for its sports and entertainment sponsorships. It sponsors Major League Baseball,
the National Football League, and numerous music festivals. Budweiser, in particular, is often prominently featured in these partnerships.
17. The company is committed to sustainability and renewable energy. It pledged to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
18. Anheuser-Busch InBev established ZX Ventures, an incubator for new products, as part of its commitment to innovation. The venture capital team invests in businesses in the food, beverage, and technology sectors.
19. As part of its response to natural disasters, Anheuser-Busch periodically halts beer production at its Cartersville, Georgia plant to can drinking water for relief efforts.
20. Anheuser-Busch InBev has faced several controversies and legal issues, including accusations of deceptive advertising, selling watered-down beer, and participating in anti-competitive practices.
21. In 2020, AB InBev launched its own direct-to-consumer platforms, BeerBox in Brazil and Zé Delivery, responding to changes in consumer behavior and the growth of e-commerce prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
22. Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis location houses the company’s flagship brewery, which features guided tours, beer tastings, and visits to the Clydesdale stables.
23. The company has also expanded into non-alcoholic beverages. In 2016, it announced plans to expand its low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks business as part of a strategy to anticipate changing consumer tastes.
24. Anheuser-Busch InBev actively engages in water stewardship efforts. It’s committed to improving water availability and quality in high-stress areas where they operate.
25. In 2019, Anheuser-Busch InBev signed an agreement with global brewer Craft Brew Alliance, further expanding its portfolio with regional craft beer brands like Kona Brewing Co.
26. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s research pilot brewery, located in Belgium, is a hub for developing new brewing technologies and improving existing ones.
27. In 2017, the brewer launched a Global Barley Research Center in Idaho, a facility dedicated to developing more sustainable farming practices and improving the quality of barley, a key ingredient in beer.
28. The company’s iconic slogan, “This Bud’s for You,” has been a hallmark of its advertising efforts for many years, symbolizing camaraderie and shared enjoyment.
29. Anheuser-Busch’s beers have won numerous awards over the years, including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.
30. Anheuser-Busch InBev continues to evolve, looking at ways to reach new consumers, sustain growth, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing global beer market, while staying true to their roots of producing quality beers.
