Anheuser Busch

Bud Light's "In the Can" Commercial Aims Below the Belt
beer

Bud Light's "In the Can" Commercial Aims Below the Belt

To promote its new Bud Light Lime cans, Anheuser-Busch is getting the word out through an interesting campaign that takes raunchiness to the next level.
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To promote its new Bud Light Lime cans, Anheuser-Busch is getting the word out through an interesting campaign that takes raunchiness to the next level. The online commercial features confessions of people who claim they enjoy "getting it in the can."

Industry vets have called the spot a "wannabe viral video" that's "crude" and "juvenile." Personally, I was entertained the first time I saw it — though it doesn't make me want to run to the store to buy Bud Light Lime. What do you think? Is this marketing ploy childish and gross, or a laughable campaign that you can get behind?

Source: Flickr User KeyExpert

Beer Prices on the Rise; Budweiser Goes Global
beer

Beer Prices on the Rise; Budweiser Goes Global

In the mood for a brew?
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In the mood for a brew? Be forewarned, a cold one could cost you. Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors have both announced plans to hike beer prices. Falling sales and higher costs of commodities like barley and hops have forced them to compensate by raising prices. In a statement Tuesday, US-Belgian company Anheuser-Busch InBev said it will raise stickers "across different price tiers" in "a majority of markets this Fall" to cover "input costs." Likewise, InBev's biggest competitor, MillerCoors, intends to increase prices this season. Higher prices from the two conglomerates — which together comprise more than 80 percent of the market — will impact the beer industry during a time when beer drinkers are reaching for the cheapest selections.

In a New York Times commentary, "Rising Beer Prices Hint at Oligopoly," the op-ed's writers lament that the two companies' abilities to raise prices while customers are hurting "highlights the pricing power that has accompanied industry consolidation" and "begs for an antitrust review."

Anheuser-Busch isn't stopping there. The beer overlord has aggressive plans to transform Budweiser into a global player, using Coca-Cola as a marketing model. The corporation hopes to introduce the "King of Beers" into dozens of new markets, including parts of Africa. Have you noticed rising beer prices? Could Budweiser eventually become an international symbol like Coke? Should Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors face antitrust allegations?

Tough Times Boosting Budget Beers
beer

Tough Times Boosting Budget Beers

Americans may love kicking back with beer, but times are tough.
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Americans may love kicking back with beer, but times are tough. That's why an increasing number of beer drinkers are swapping their microbrews for what are called "subpremium" beers in the beverage industry.

Anheuser-Busch has reported that its brands Busch and Natural Light have seen upticks in sales. Other beers — from Miller High Life to Milwaukee's Best to Hamm's to Keystone — have also been attracting a larger percentage of consumers.

To the beer industry's dismay, the increase in subpremium beer sales is happening at the expense of its higher-end beers, such as Budweiser and Miller Genuine Draft. Said one MillerCoors wholesaler: "I'm selling way more economy brands than I'm comfortable with . . . consumers are trading down."

Is this the case for you? Have you also been purchasing less costly beer options?

Source

Bye Bye Budweiser! American King of Beers Now Belgian
News

Bye Bye Budweiser! American King of Beers Now Belgian

Belgium's government collapsed today, but at least they can drink away their sorrows.
by LibertySugar

Belgium's government collapsed today, but at least they can drink away their sorrows. An American treasure — Budweiser beer — is now Belgian. Perhaps baseball or apple pie will leave us next. For $52 billion Belgian company InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch, pledging to keep the North American headquarters in St. Louis, while cutting $1.5 billion in costs.

The King's defection hits no place harder than its birthplace St. Louis, MO. Anheuser-Busch's reign in the Midwest city dates back to a brewery founded in 1852. If you're keeping track, InBev's first brewery was founded in 1366.

For more on Anheiser-Busch's American legacy, and what my grandparents in St. Louis have to say about this "rotten deal" read more

Will You be Upset If Belgian Company Buys Budweiser?
beer

Will You be Upset If Belgian Company Buys Budweiser?

There is no other beer as quintessentially American as Budweiser.
by partysugar

There is no other beer as quintessentially American as Budweiser. With its red, white, and blue label, the beer is known around the world as the American brew. But, how would you feel if the "great American lager" was no longer owned by an American company?

Big time Belgian brewer InBev, which makes Stella, Becks, and many other brews, has offered to buy Anheuser-Busch's beer. Both Americans and Belgians are outraged by the possible takeover. Americans — who are putting up a fight at savebudweiser.com — don't want to lose the national symbol, and the Belgians don't want to be associated with it.

Considering that I prefer Stella to Bud, I'm not affected by the possible merger. How about you? Will you be upset if a Belgian company buys America's favorite beer?

Source

Can I See Some ID?
beer

Can I See Some ID?

In a recent survey conducted by The Nielsen Company on behalf of Anheuser-Busch, 95% of American adults think that, while inconvenient, ID checking is a worthwile way to reduce underage drinking.
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In a recent survey conducted by The Nielsen Company on behalf of Anheuser-Busch, 95% of American adults think that, while inconvenient, ID checking is a worthwile way to reduce underage drinking. The survey was taken to determine how people view the effectiveness of ID checking. The survey also discovered that 94% of the people think that those who sell alcohol should be trained to spot fake IDs.

"Checking IDs is one of the keys to keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors. Simply put, if teens can't get alcohol, they can't drink it, and the survey reflects that America's retailers are doing their part, and that American adults fully embrace this concept," says John Kaestner, vice president of Consumer Affairs for Anheuser-Busch Cos.

In addition to the straightforward questions, the survey also asked a few ridiculous ones. The three that really stood out to me were:

First of all, who thought to ask those questions? The ID stuff I can understand, it's really interesting, but who do you want to check your ID? What? Also, are you telling me that Regis Philbin really beat out someone like George Clooney? America, I don't get you sometimes...

Source: PR Newswire

Big Beer Goes Organic
organic beer

Big Beer Goes Organic

I would say the true age of organics has arrived!!!!
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I would say the true age of organics has arrived!!!! Anheuser-Busch is testing the waters of brewing organic beer. I don't know, it just seems odd to me...but there's organic wine, so why not beer.

Two types of brews will be appearing in small test markets across the US. Look for the lager Wild Hops and Stone Mill Pale Ale. Anheuser-Busch, makers of Bud and Bud Light (not a good choice as a diet drink - just want to get that out there), are looking to tap (pun intended) into new markets. This new market is one that is more likely to buy microbrews and is already used to spending a buck to two more than the cost of a 6 pack of Bud. These organic beers will sell for around $7.99 for a 6 pack of Wild Hop and $8.49 for a 6 pack of Stone Mill.

Here comes the tricky part, the label and packaging don't say Anheuser-Busch. They are using the newly minted name Green Valley Brewing Co. So the marketing strategy will be low key with the cornerstone being a donation to the Organic Farming Research Foundation in Santa Cruz, CA.

So look for it, or don't. I am always skeptical of a sheep in wolf's clothing. Oh and drink responsibly. Just because it is organic doesn't mean that is healthy for you and/or won't get you buzzed.