Anheuser-Busch to introduce American originals family of beers; Three Specialty Beers--Faust, Muenchener and Black and Tan--First Developed in Late 1800s To Debut in Seattle and Denver on Oct.

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1995--Hearkening back to its rich brewing heritage, Anheuser-Busch will introduce a new line of three specialty beers -- to be called "American Originals" -- on Monday, Oct. 2, in two of the leading specialty beer markets in the United States, Seattle and Denver.

Three beers will comprise Anheuser-Busch's American Originals -- Faust, Muenchener, and Black and Tan. All three were first brewed at the turn of the century by Adolphus Busch, the guiding force behind the company that eventually became Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

"They are as close to the style, taste and look of the original beers as we can discern from our archival records, and I'm sure that my great-great grandfather would be delighted that through the American Originals we are able to honor the rich history he helped create for Anheuser-Busch during our company's early days," said August A. Busch IV, vice president of brand management at Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "As evidenced from our own research, we're confident that specialty beer drinkers will find the American Originals story, and the great full-bodied taste of these beers, very appealing."

Anheuser-Busch's archivists uncovered a variety of handwritten and printed notes, and sales literature from the turn of the century, and this information was essential to the development of the American Originals.

"I'm extremely proud and excited that today we can brew the brands that Adolphus crafted during the late 1800s," said Busch. "Adolphus Busch believed in a commitment to quality that has been the hallmark of Anheuser-Busch for more than 140 years. We have followed that tradition while brewing our American Originals."

Anheuser-Busch is making its most ambitious entry into the specialty beer market -- but not its first -- with the introduction of the American Originals family of beers. The company also brews Red Wolf -- the largest selling red beer in America; Elk Mountain Red; the critically acclaimed Elk Mountain Amber Ale -- which recently won the gold medal at the California Beer Festival; and distributes Elephant Red.

The specialty and microbrew segment of the beer industry grew almost 40 percent in 1994 over the previous year, accounting for 3.3 million barrels in sales. Counting import beers, the combined category represents more than 17 million barrels in volume -- or 8 percent of the total industry.

"We see great potential for growth in the specialty segment with our American Originals," Busch said. "We believe our three new beers -- Faust, Muenchener, and Black and Tan -- will deliver the more varied, and more flavorful beer tastes that many beer drinkers are looking for today."

Faust was first brewed in 1885 by Adolphus Busch for his good friend Tony Faust to serve at Faust's renowned St. Louis Oyster House and Restaurant. The brand was initially sold only in Faust's restaurant, but it became so popular that it was made available on a much wider basis in subsequent years.

"Faust is an all-malt lager that is brewed using only the richest two-row, dry-roasted barley and a blend of distinctive imported Bohemian and Washington State hops," said Dan Kahn, the Anheuser-Busch brewmaster responsible for American Originals' development.

Muenchener was first brewed in 1893 -- and called "Columbian Muenchener" at the time -- after Adolphus Busch challenged his brewmasters to develop the world's best muenchener-style beer. Until then, the world's best muenchener beers were brewed in Munich, Germany, but Busch set out to change that. His brewmasters succeeded, and Busch's Columbian Muenchener was awarded a gold medal at the 1893 Columbian World's Exposition in Chicago.

Muenchener is a medium-to-full bodied beer with a deep, copper color. It possesses a rich, creamy and roasted malt flavor, and its aroma is malty, with a light roast and spice characteristic.

"In brewing Muenchener, we use five varieties of malt, including Munich-style malt and other roasted barley malts, as well as a blend of seven domestic and imported hops," Kahn said.

Adolphus Busch's Black and Tan was first brewed in 1899 as an American porter, and was particularly popular on draught in saloons. Black and Tan is a full-bodied porter with a bit more malt to soften the flavor, and it has a deep reddish-brown color. It is a hearty, rich and dark ale that features taste characteristics of roasted malt, chocolate and coffee. Its aroma combines roasted malt, chocolate, fruity and slightly floral characteristics.

Black and Tan is brewed using a true English ale yeast, a blend of chocolate, caramel and two other varieties of roasted malt, and a combination of Washington State hops and imported hops.

"Black and Tan is a very hearty, rich, and dark beer that is a perfect complement to foods of a similar nature, such as meat stews, chilis and strong chocolate-flavored desserts," Kahn said.

Befitting a brewing tradition that dates back to the mid-1800s, all three American Originals beers will be packaged in very distinctive embossed long-neck bottles, with front and back labels that tell each brand's colorful history. They will be offered in the super-premium plus price range.

CONTACT: Anheuser-Busch

Mike Lenzen, 314/982-1751

or

Bill Etling, 314/982-8606