Budweiser
| Manufacturer | Anheuser-Busch |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1876 |
| Alcohol by volume | 5.0% Budweiser 5.0% Bud Dry 4.2% Bud Light 5.5% Bud Ice 4.1% Bud Ice Light |
| Style | Pale lager |
| Original gravity | 1.045 (Budweiser) |
| Final gravity | 1.009 (Budweiser) |
| IBU scale | 8.5 (Budweiser)) 6.4 (Bud Light) |
| Website | www |
Budweiser, sometimes referred to as Bud, is a global pale lager brand owned by the St. Louis–based Anheuser-Busch company. Budweiser is made with a proportion of rice in addition to barley malt, for which it has received some criticism, though the company takes the position that the rice gives the beer a lighter taste. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the United States and the rest of the world. It is a filtered beer available in draught and packaged forms. It has 5.0 percent alcohol by volume, except in Utah, Minnesota and Oklahoma where a 3.2% alcohol by weight strength is available due to state laws. Minnesota and Colorado require 3.2% alcohol by weight beer only at select public events and beer being sold in grocery stores and gas stations.
Name origin and dispute
The name, used since 1878 in the US, derives from the Bohemian city called Budweis (in German language) when part of Austria-Hungary until 1919, and České Budějovice since (first part of Czechoslovakia, then Czech Republic). In 1895, a brewery had been founded there, nowadays called Budějovický Budvar.
Anheuser-Busch has launched lawsuits in numerous countries against this brewery. Budějovický Budvar claim the right to use "Budweiser" worldwide.
Market share
Anheuser-Busch has a market share in the United States of about 50% for all beers sold.[citation needed] The company's 2005 annual report cites figures which demonstrate Budweiser brands are proving to be quite successful in three markets outside of the U.S.:
- in the People's Republic of China, where Anheuser-Busch has had a brewery in Wuhan since 1995, 3.4 million barrels of Budweiser were brewed in 2005.[citation needed]
- in Canada, where Labatt Brewing Company brews and packages Budweiser and Bud Light for the Canadian market; Budweiser is one of the country's most popular bottled beers behind Labatt and Molson.
Budweiser is also widely available in Mexico due to Anheuser-Busch's half-ownership of Grupo Modelo, through which Budweiser and Bud Light (introduced in 1982) are distributed. In Ireland, Budweiser is one of the leading lager brands; it is brewed, marketed, and sold by Guinness. Budweiser is also available in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Finland, Panama, Paraguay and Russia because of partnerships Anheuser-Busch has with major brewers there.
Budweiser was recently launched in India, where it's slowly gaining market share by being a much-sought after alternative to the leading Kingfisher, Fosters and Royal Challenge.
Marketing
Budweiser is one of the major breweries that emphasize humorous advertising campaigns, such as the "Real Men of Genius" radio commercials for Bud Light, recently moved to television. The spots feature an over-the-top, 1980s-style rock ballad sung by Dave Bickler, the former lead singer of "Survivor", describing ordinary activities as if they were heroic. The campaign originally was called "Real American Heroes," but the name was changed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.[citation needed]
Some Bud advertising campaigns have entered the popular culture in the United States. They include a long line of TV advertisements in the 1990s featuring three frogs named "Bud", "Weis", and "Er", and a campaign built around the phrase "Whassup?". The company is known for its sports sponsorships, video game sponsorship (Tapper), and (often) humorous advertisements. Advertising campaigns have also included a nude Ganymede grasping a beer bottle and borne aloft by a bald eagle,[1] lizards impersonating the "Bud-weis-er" frogs, and Clydesdale horses.
Budweiser has a vast presence in motorsports; Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser hydroplane boat, sponsoring the Budweiser King Top Fuel Dragster driven by Brandon Bernstein. Budweiser has been a sponsor of Brandon and Kenny Bernstein for the last 27 years. Bobby Rahal won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and 1986-1987 CART championships sponsored by Budweiser. Budweiser is the official beer of NHRA and NASCAR. Budweiser has sponsored top NASCAR teams such as Junior Johnson (including Darrell Waltrip and Bill Elliott), Hendrick Motorsports (including Ken Schrader, Ricky Craven and Wally Dallenbach, Jr.), and perhaps most notably DEI driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr from 2000-2007. In 2008, Budweiser will become Kasey Kahne's primary sponsor, and will split some races with Allstate. Budweiser has also sponsored many races, including the Budweiser Shootout, and previously The Bud at the Glen, Budweiser 500, and Budweiser 400.
Even in the early 20th century, the company was marketing through popular music; the company commissioned a play-on-words number called Under the Anheuser Bush, which was recorded by several early phonograph companies. Currently, some of their commercials feature the song "Galvanize", by The Chemical Brothers. In the last few years, a number of humorous advertisements for Bud Light have been shown on television. Some of the company theme songs, particularly "Here Comes the King", have been referenced by Budweiser TV commercials for many years.
Budweiser is an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer franchise, and was the headline sponsor of the British Basketball League in the 1990s, taking over from rival company Carlsberg. Budweiser is also an official sponsor of the English Premier League.
The 2005 Hong Kong film Drink-Drank-Drunk heavily featured Budweiser product placement, with the main character Siu Min working as a logo-jacketed beer maid.
Bottle
The Budweiser bottle has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1876. The top label is red and currently reads "Budweiser ()". The top of the main label is red with a white banner with a pledge on it, which has changed three times. Below the banner is a coat of arms of sorts, which once had the Conrad and Co. logo on it, and now features an Anheuser-Busch stylization. Below that is a large white box. In this box the words "Budweiser Lager (King of) Beer(s) Brewed by our original (all natural) (Budweiser) process from the Choicest Hops, Rice, and Best Barley (Malt)" (words in parentheses have been added or removed over time). Because of Budweiser's "King of Beers" mantra, Bud Light is sometimes known as the "Prince of Beers" or simply "The Prince" to its avid consumers.
The words "Anheuser Busch" and "St. Louis Mo" appear in this box as well.
| Era | Pledge | Logo | Beer title | Top label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 1 | C. Conrad and Co. | Budweiser Lager Beer | Original Budweiser |
| Early 1900s | 2 | C. Conrad and Co. | Budweiser Lager Beer | Budweiser Reg U.S. Pat Off |
| 1920s | 3 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser | Anheuser-Busch Budweiser St. Louis |
| 1940s | 2 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser Lager Beer | Budweiser Beer |
| 1950s | 4 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser Lager Beer | Budweiser Lager Beer |
| 1970s | 4 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser Lager Beer | Budweiser |
| 1980s | 4 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser Lager Beer | Budweiser |
| Today | 4 | Anheuser-Busch | Budweiser King of Beers | Budweiser (Bow Tie) |
Containers and Packaging
Over the years, Budweiser has been distributed in many sizes and containers. Through the early-1950s Budweiser was primarily distributed in just 3 packages -- kegs, 12-ounce bottles and quart bottles. Cans were first introduced in 1936[7]. From 1936 to 1955, cans were slow to catch on. In 1955, August Busch Jr.[8] made the strategic move to expand Budweiser's national brand and distributor presence. Along with this expansion came advances in bottling automation, new bottling materials and more efficient distribution methods. These advances have brought to market many new containers and package designs. Presently, Budweiser is distributed in three large container volumes -- 1/2 keg, 1/4 keg, and beer ball. In smaller consumption volumes, Budweiser is distributed in 8-, 10-, 12-, 16-, 22-, 24-, 32- and 40-ounce containers. Smaller consumption containers vary in materials with Budweiser offering glass bottles, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and new-form aluminum bottles.
Package considerations are sometimes tailored to local customs and traditions. Local distributors may stock certain sizes based upon these regional customs. In St. Mary's County, Maryland, 10-ounce cans [9] [10] are the preferred package. Chicagoans widely prefer the 16-ounce can. Budweiser drinkers in the western stretches of Ottawa County, Michigan prefer the 8-ounce aluminum can. This Ottawa County preference for the 8-ounce can may stem from a long-standing blue law held in many Western Michigan cities that prohibit sale of beer and wine on Sundays [11] [12]. In response to this blue law, brewers and distributors presented the 8-ounce can as a smaller alternative with the aim at pairing back the blue laws for alcohol served in lesser volume.
Budweiser has introduced many can designs with co-branding and sports marketing promotional packaging. Today, most of these promotional programs are represented only in the 12-ounce aluminum bottle container; however, many major league baseball and NFL teams also promote 24-ounce cans marked with team logos.
Slogans
The original Budweiser pledge reads "We guarantee that this beer is brewed especially for our own trade according to the Budweiser process of choicest hops, best barley and rice. This beer is brewed in St. Louis and warranted to keep in any climate. Take notice that all crowns are branded with our trade-mark." The last sentence was altered slightly in the early 1900s to read: "Take notice that all crowns bear our trade-mark."
It was altered again, albeit briefly, to read as follows: "We guarantee that this beverage is healthful, refreshing, nutritious, free from bacteria, fully matured and aged, will keep in any climate, and fermented in St. Louis. Take note that all crowns bear our 'A' and 'Eagle' trade mark". This pledge was reverted to the second pledge after only a few years.
The current pledge was placed on the bottle some time around the end of the Second World War. It reads: "This is the famous Budweiser beer. We know of no brand produced by any other brewer which costs so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beechwood Aging produces a taste, a smoothness and a drinkability you will find in no other beer at any price."
Beer
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
Budweiser is brewed using rice, barley malt, water, hops and yeast. It is lagered with beechwood chips in the aging vessel which, according to Budweiser, creates a smoother taste. Rice will produce a "clean finish." It is an ingredient utilized by many brewers because it is less expensive than malted barley, rye or other grains. Greenpeace has exposed Anheuser Busch's use of genetically engineered rice in the beer brewing process.[2] Anheuser-Busch was also one of the few breweries during Prohibition that had the resources and wherewithal to convert to "cereal beer" production -- malt beverage made with non-fermentables such as rice and unmalted barley and rye, and able to stay under the 0.5% limit established by the Volstead Act. Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the major breweries continued to use unmalted cereal grains to provide the full body and mouthfeel of a "real" beer while keeping the alcohol content low. Budweiser and Bud Light are sometimes advertised as vegan beers, in that their ingredients and conditioning do not use animal byproducts, however, few beers contain animal byproducts, and some vegans might object to the inclusion of genetically engineered rice.[2].
While beechwood chips are used in the maturation tank, there is little to no flavor contribution from the wood, mainly because they are boiled in sodium bicarbonate [baking soda] for seven hours for the very purpose of removing any flavor from the wood. The maturation tanks (they call them chip tanks) that Anheuser-Busch utilizes are horizontal and, as such, flocculation of the yeast occurs much quicker. By placing chips at the bottom of the tank, the yeast remains in suspension longer, giving it more time to reabsorb and process green beer flavors, such as acetaldehyde and diacetyl, that Anheuser-Busch believes are off-flavors which detract from overall drinkability.
As with most food products opinions differ regarding its taste. While some drinkers prefer the lightness of beers like Budweiser and consume it as a refreshment,[3] some beer writers consider it as being too bland.[4][5] The beer is light-bodied with faint sweet notes and negligible bitterness, leading to reviews characterising it as a "...beer of underwhelming blandness".[6]
Baseball broadcaster Harry Caray, who worked for the St. Louis Cardinals and later the Chicago Cubs, always championed the taste of Budweiser, even after he had been fired by the Busch company, which then owned the Cardinals. He said in interviews (such as a special that was produced by WGN-TV in the early 1990s) that he touted Bud because he thought it had the best flavor of any American beer.
According to the Reinheitsgebot (The German Purity Law of 1516), Budweiser does not qualify as beer. In order to meet the traditional German restrictions regarding what constitutes beer, it must contain no ingredients other than barley, hops, yeast and water. Since Budweiser includes rice and other adjuncts, it does not meet this traditional definition of beer.
Budweiser brands
In addition to the regular Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch brews several different beers under the Budweiser brand, including:
Bud
Available in Europe See Budweiser trademark dispute
Bud Light
Introduced nationally in 1982 as "Budweiser Light", Bud Light is a 4.2% ABV pale lager with 110 calories.[7] Since 2001, Bud Light has been the best-selling beer in the United States. In November 2007, the long-running slogan "Always Worth It" was replaced with "Keeps It Coming."
Budweiser Select
Budweiser Select, or Bud Select, is a 4.3% pale lager that contains 99 calories and 3.1 grams of carbohydrates.[8] Anheuser-Busch has taken an intensive approach to the promotion of Budweiser Select. They have recently hired New York rapper Jay-Z as a spokesman for the brand. It is also featured alongside Budweiser and Bud Light in most of the family advertisements and point-of-sale material. It is advertised under the taglines "Step up to Select" and "The Real Deal".
Bud Ice
Introduced in 1994 as "Ice by Budweiser," it is more alcoholic (5.5%[9]) than Budweiser. The height of its popularity came in the mid-90's alongside an advertising campaign that involved a malevolent penguin that stalked Bud Ice drinkers and stole their beer while singing his signature song of "Scooby-dooby-doo.."
Bud Ice Light
Introduced in 1994, Bud Ice Light contains less alcohol than Bud Light (4.1% ABV) and has the lowest carbohydrate count of any ice beer.
Budweiser Brew Masters Private Reserve
Budweiser Brew Masters' Private Reserve is an all-malt lager with a honey color and robust taste. It is based on a Budweiser brewmaster holiday tradition of collecting the richest part of the brew as it is tapped to the brew kettles to toast the holiday season."[10] At 8.5 ABV, every year they release a different style. 2007's edition is a doppelbock.
Bud Dry
Bud Dry was introduced nationally in the U.S. in April of 1990[11] with the slogan of "Why ask why? Try Bud Dry." It was originally successful in test markets and was expected to be a popular beer with the rise in light lager popularity. However, with the introduction of Bud Ice in 1994, Bud Dry was bumped from the top three beers in terms of marketing. It has declined in mainstream popularity and no longer receives commercial attention. Bud Dry is now rarely seen in stores and bars where it was once well-known.
Bud Silver
An attempt to appeal to the tastes of beer drinkers in the United Kingdom, this specially brewed beer contains 4.1% alcohol by volume.
Bud Extra
A beer with caffeine, ginseng, guarana and alcohol. It had been speculated that the alcohol content was as low as 2.0% ABV[citation needed], however it actually contains 6.6% ABV as indicated on the label. It's being marketed as a caffeinated malt beverage.
Chelada
A blend of Budweiser and Clamato or Bud Light and Clamato Juice. This beverage became available nationally in late 2007 due to overwhelming popularity during test marketing.
Budweiser in the news
- Greenpeace Has Exposed Anheuser Busch's Use of Genetically Engineered Rice in Beer Brewing Process. October 08, 2007.[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/releases2/greenpeace-exposes-anheuser-bu#}
- A-B Inc. has recently joined with Budvar to be the sole distributor of Budweiser Budvar throughout the U.S. [13] This, however, does not negate the ongoing lawsuits between the companies.[citation needed]
- During the 2006 World Cup, approximately 1000 Dutch soccer fans were forced to remove their leeuwenhosen in order to gain access to the stadium. The pants had the name of a competing beer (Bavaria) printed on them. FIFA made the decision in order to secure the right of Budweiser, the official sponsor, to advertise exclusively and to prevent ambush marketing by non-sponsors.[12]
- Anheuser Busch on May 7, 2006 joined with Vita Food Products to produce a line of barbecue, wing and basting sauces.[13]
See also
- Budweiser Frogs
- Budweiser trademark dispute between Anheuser Busch and breweries from Budvar / Budweiss in the Czech republic.
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b "Greenpeace Exposes Anheuser Busch's Use of Genetically Engineered Rice in Beer Brewing Process". Greenpeace. October 08, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Member's forum Rating". themanroom.com.
- ^ Hops to lighten your step beerhunter.com
- ^ A Bud by any other namerealbeer.com
- ^ Simpson, Willie (2007). The Beer Bible. Sydney: John Fairfax Publications. pp. p.84. ISBN 978-1-921190-86-5.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Realbeer.com: Beer Alcohol Content
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [Media:http://www.mywire.com/pubs/PRNewswire/2006/05/08/1541468?extID=10051]
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