Anheuser-Busch Achieves Record U.S. Beer Volume in 2001.

Business Editors

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2002

Anheuser-Busch, Inc. (NYSE:BUD), the U.S. beer subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., achieved record U.S. beer sales volume in 2001, it was announced today by Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Stokes.

"We are pleased to report that our domestic beer shipments to wholesalers grew to an all-time high of 99.5 million barrels in 2001 - increasing 1.2 million barrels or 1.2 percent over 2000," said Mr. Stokes. "In addition, for the first time, total domestic shipments plus exports exceeded the 100 million barrel milestone. This record achievement was led by the Bud Family. Bud Light continued its strong sales performance in 2001 and is now the number one selling beer brand in the United States, followed by Budweiser, which continues to be the largest-selling beer brand in the world. These results reflect the hard work and dedication by our sales team and wholesalers across the country," Mr. Stokes noted.

Wholesaler sales-to-retailers grew 1.8 percent for the full year 2001 and increased 5 percent in the fourth quarter 2001. The higher sales-to-retailers volume growth in the fourth quarter was favorably impacted by unseasonably warm weather and an extra selling day in the quarter and reflects strong sales over the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period.

Fourth-quarter beer shipments by Anheuser-Busch to its wholesalers grew 0.3 percent as the company reduced wholesaler inventories to levels below last year, further enhancing product freshness and system economics.

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. will announce worldwide beer volume and consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year 2001 in the first week of February. Consistent with statements in the third-quarter earnings release, the company continues to expect 12 percent earnings per share growth for 2001 and has set an initial earnings per share growth target of 10 percent for 2002. "We are confident that having the highest-quality and freshest beers in the industry, combined with exceptional marketing, solid sales execution and a favorable pricing environment, will result in another very good year for Anheuser-Busch in 2002," concluded Mr. Stokes.

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's expectations concerning its future operations, earnings and prospects. On the date the statements are made, the statements represent the company's expectations, but the company's expectations concerning its future operations, earnings and prospects may change. The company disclaims any obligation to update any of these statements. If the company determines to update any forward-looking statement, it will do so publicly. No private statements by the company or its personnel should be interpreted as updating forward-looking statements. The company's expectations involve significant risks and uncertainties, and are based upon many assumptions that the company believes to be reasonable, but such assumptions may ultimately prove to be inaccurate or incomplete, in whole or in part. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that the company's expectations and the forward-looking statements will be correct. Further information on factors that could affect the company's future operations, earnings and prospects is included in the company's Forms 10-Q and 10-K.

SOURCE: Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.