Company  / /  Historical Timeline

 
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.


  • 1852-1900
  • 1901-1951
  • 1952-1999
  • 2000-2008
1852 - George Schneider establishes the Bavarian Brewery - located on Carondelet, between Lynch and Dorcas streets in St. Louis 1852 - 1900
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 1901-1950
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 beverages, corn syrup, truck and bus bodies, refrigerated cabinets, baker's yeast and dealcoholized Budweiser
1933 - National Prohibition ends; Budweiser Clydesdales introduced
1934 - August 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 - Groundbreaking for first regional brewery in Newark, N.J. Dalmatians first ride on Clydesdale hitch
1952 - 100th anniversary of founding of company 1952-1997
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 -
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20th anniversary of the company's listing on the NYSE
Discovery Cove opens in Orlando
Photo Here
2001 - Longhorn Glass Company begins operation
2002 -
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Patrick Stokes named president and chief executive officer
150th anniversary of the company
Michelob Ultra, Bacardi Silver rolled out nationally
2003 - Bud Light becomes the best-selling beer in the United States
2004 -
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"Responsibility Matters" alcohol awareness campaign launched
Aluminum bottles introduced
2005 -

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"Here´s to the Heroes Tour" allows millions of Americans to meet the Budweiser Clydesdales and salute America´s military
Budweiser Select introduced nationally
2006 -
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August A. Busch IV named president and chief executive officer
Michelob Ultra Amber introduced
Here’s to Beer Campaign introduced
2007 -
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Adolphus Busch inducted into the United States Labor Hall of Fame. Chelada, a combination of Budweiser and Bud Light with Clamato Tomato juice, is introduced in test markets.
Budweiser announces that Kasey Kahne will be its next NASCAR driver at the beginning of the 2008 season.
2008 -
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Bud Light Lime introduced
Anheuser-Busch and InBev combine to become Anheuser-Busch InBev