BUILDING AN AMERICAN ICON
When Anheuser-Busch was founded in the 1850s, it started as a small neighborhood brewery. Through the combined efforts of Eberhard Anheuser, Adolphus Busch, and thousands of employees, our brewery quickly transformed from a local fixture into a national presence.
Today, we employ thousands of people nationwide, all united by a deep passion for dreaming big and supporting the communities that we call home.
FOR THE LOVE OF LAGER
The introduction of lager beer to the United States by German immigrants during the mid-19th century forever changed the landscape of the brewing industry. As lager became the most popular style of beer, we pioneered the use of new technologies allowing consumers across America to enjoy beers like Michelob, Faust, and Budweiser. Our time-honored traditions of brewing the highest quality beer while constantly innovating has pushed the future of our industry forward.
The birth of the American Lager
The birth of the American Lager
In the mid-1800s, the population of St. Louis exploded as a large wave of German immigrants settled in the city. One of the principal industries that Germans brought to St. Louis was brewing. These German brewers introduced a style of beer popular in Germany, but relatively unknown in the United States: lager beer.
Eberhard-Anheuser — From Soap to Beer
Eberhard-Anheuser — From Soap to Beer
Eberhard Anheuser — a German soap maker who would go on to own the largest soap and candle company in St. Louis — emigrated to Missouri in 1843.
Although he had no brewing experience, Eberhard became part owner of the Bavarian and by 1860 had bought out the other investors, changing the brewery’s name to E. Anheuser & Co.
Adolphus Busch – A Historic Partnership
Adolphus Busch – A Historic Partnership
Adolphus Busch was born in 1839, the second youngest of 22 children. At the age of 18, he made his way to St. Louis via New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Adolphus began working as a clerk on the riverfront and by the time he was 21, he had a partnership in a brewing supply business. It was through this enterprise that Adolphus Busch met Eberhard Anheuser — and his daughter Lilly.
A Fortunate Love Story
A Fortunate Love Story
In 1861, Adolphus Busch and Eberhard Anheuser’s daughter Lilly were married. Shortly after that, Adolphus went to work for his father-in-law at E. Anheuser & Co, later purchasing half of the brewery.
An American Icon is Born
An American Icon is Born
Adolphus’ vision and entrepreneurial mindset grew the business both in the US and abroad – no small feat at the time. In 1879, the company was renamed the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association to recognize his efforts.
When Eberhard Anheuser died in 1880, Adolphus became president of the brewery. In 1901, the company broke the 1 million barrels of beer sales mark for the first time, making it one of the nation’s leading breweries.
Crowning a King
Crowning a King
When Adolphus began working at the brewery, most beer in the United States was sold and consumed in the community in which it was brewed. But, Adolphus was determined to create a brand that would transcend the tradition of local brews and appeal to people across the US.
In 1876, Adolphus and his friend Carl Conrad created Budweiser, an American-style lager that succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations and eventually became the brewery’s flagship brand:
Sales and Marketing Takes Center Stage
Sales and Marketing Takes Center Stage
In addition to being a leader in the technical development of the brewing industry, Adolphus Busch was also a master of advertising and promotion.
Adolphus used traditional, proven selling methods, but in a far more organized and deliberate manner than his competitors. He pioneered the use of giveaways and in the 1880s turned the Anheuser-Busch brewery into a tourist destination by offering tours to the public.
The Legacy Continues
The Legacy Continues
Although Adolphus Busch passed away in 1913, his legacy lives on at every Anheuser-Busch brewery. Adolphus’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovative spirit can still be found in the beer we brew today.