Anheuser-Busch traces its origins back to the Bavarian brewery which was established in 1852. Eberhard Anheuser acquired the Bavarian brewery in 1860 and renamed it E. Anheuser & Co. In 1864, his son-in-law, Adolphus Busch, joined the company that would later become Anheuser-Busch.
While the company´s early years were demanding, Adolphus Busch proved up to the challenge. His keen vision, bold initiative, marketing savvy and passionate commitment to quality were his legacy to those who followed, and the high standards he established have been adhered to by each succeeding generation.
Today, Anheuser-Busch produces the two best-selling beers in the world, Budweiser and Bud Light, operates 12 breweries in the United States and has operations around the globe. The timeline below highlights some key dates in our more than 150 year history.
- 1852-1900
- 1901-1950
- 1952-1997
- 2000-2006
1852 - George Schneider establishes the Bavarian Brewery - located on Carondelet, between Lynch and Dorcas streets in St. Louis 1857 - Adolphus Busch, a German immigrant, arrives in St. Louis 1860 - Eberhard Anheuser acquires Bavarian Brewery and renames it E. Anheuser & Co. 1861 - Adolphus Busch marries Eberhard Anheuser´s daughter, Lilly 1864 - Adolphus Busch begins working at his father-in-law´s brewery 1872 - First use of A & Eagle trademark on packaging 1876 - Budweiser introduced 1879 - Brewery changes name to Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association 1880 - Eberhard Anheuser dies; Adolphus Busch becomes president 1881 - First use of artificial refrigeration at Anheuser-Busch 1896 - Michelob introduced
1901 - One million barrels in annual production 1913 - Adolphus Busch dies; August A. Busch, Sr. becomes president 1916 - Bevo introduced 1920 - National Prohibition begins; Anheuser-Busch diversifies with a long line of products including ice cream, barley malt syrup, ginger ale, root beer, chocolate and grape-flavored beverage, corn syrup, truck and bus bodies, refrigerated cabinets, baker's yeast and dealcholized Budweiser 1933 - National Prohibition ends; Budweiser Clydesdales introduced 1934 - Adolphus A. Busch, Sr. dies; Adolphus Busch III becomes president 1936 - Budweiser sold in cans for first time 1946 - Adolphus Busch III dies; August A. Busch, Jr. becomes president 1950 - Ground breaking for first regional brewery in Newark, N.J. Dalmatians first ride on Clydesdale hitch
1952 - 100th anniversary of founding of company 1955 - Busch Bavarian beer introduced 1959 - Busch Gardens in Tampa opens 1964 - Ten million barrels in annual production 1967 - St. Louis brewery declared National Historic Landmark 1973 - Metal Container Corporation established as subsidiary 1974 - August A. Busch III elected president 1975 - Busch Gardens in Williamsburg opens 1976 - 100th anniversary of Budweiser introduction 1980 - Anheuser-Busch listed on the NYSE 1981 - Anheuser-Busch International, Inc, BARI, Busch Industrial Products established as an Anheuser-Busch Companies subsidiary 1982 - Bud Light introduced "Know When to Say When" responsibility campaign introduced 1983 - 50th anniversary of Budweiser Clydesdale hitch 1986 - Anheuser-Busch breaks billion-barrel mark of beer brewed since founding of company 1989 - SeaWorld purchased 1993 - Anheuser-Busch invests in Grupo Modelo (Corona beer) in Mexico 1995 - Company purchases majority interest in Chinese brewer, Budweiser Wuhan International Brewing Company 1997 - Annual worldwide beer volume exceeds 100 million barrels for first time (including equity volume)
2000 -
-20th anniversary of the company's listing on the NYSE
Discovery Cove opens in Orlando2001 -
-Longhorn Glass Company begins operation
Bud Light becomes the best-selling beer in the United States2002 -
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-Patrick Stokes named president and chief executive officer
150th anniversary of the company
Michelob Ultra, Bacardi Silver rolled out nationally2004 -
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-"Responsibility Matters" alcohol awareness campaign launched
Budweiser Select introduced
Aluminum bottles introduced2005 - "Here´s to the Heroes Tour" allows millions of Americans to meet the Budweiser Clydesdales and salute America´s military 2006 -
-August A. Busch IV named president and chief executive officer
Michelob Ultra Amber introduced
