Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Acquires Blue Point
Mega brewer Anheuser-Busch (AB-InBev) has purchased another craft brewery – Blue Point Brewing (Long Island, NY).
The purchase, valued at $24 million, adds Blue Point’s lineup to AB’s portfolio and allows for the expansion of Blue Point and to “enhance the consumer experience.”
As you’ll recall, AB-InBev made a splash a couple of years ago with the purchase of Goose Island in Chicago. Much of the year round lineup was moved away from the production facility on Fulton Street to AB’s 8-10 million barrel facilities around the United States. It is reasonable to expect at least some of Blue Point’s beers will follow suit, as AB takes the brand nationwide over the next year or so.
Blue Point was founded 15 years ago by Mark Burford and Peter Cotter. The deal is expected to be completed at the end of the second quarter, 2014.
Developing….
Craft Brewer Wins Lawsuit with Anheuser- Busch
Back in December, Anheuser-Busch found themselves on the receiving end of a lawsuit.
Montana’s Big Sky Brewing sued Belgium based AB-InBev over an online marketing campaign that featured the phrase “Hold My Beer.” The ad campaign was lead by the voice of John Krasinski, best known as “Jim Halpert” from NBC’s The Office tv show. These spots never aired on TV.
Big Sky contends that this has been part of their branding since 2004 on the breweries can lineup.
A settlement has been reached with AB, and the videos have been removed. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. There was no financial restitution involved in the settlement terms.
Oh Good. Bud Light “Rita” Mix Packs
The world is about to have four different Bud “Rita” offerings to choose from. If this kind of drink excites you, there is Lime-a-Rita, Straw-Ber-Rita, Raz-Ber-Rita, and Mang-o-Rita.
This week, Bud launched the first “Rita” mix pack feature all 4 offerings. ERA $15.99.
So yeah. Enjoy.
Anheuser Busch Eyes The Cider Market
In case you thought hard apple cider was a fad, you might want to think again. A-B InBev will launch their own hard cider in 2014 called Johnny Appleseed.
Two Anheuser-Busch distributors have contacted Beer Street Journal in the past hour, mentioning that the mega brewer has a big brand launch that is separate from both their beer and “Rita” offerings.
It is long overdue too. Major competitor to A-B, Miller Coors, acquired Crispin Cider last year, running it through their Tenth & Blake Division. The only cider involvement by A-B can be traced to Stella Artois “Cidre” and Mich Ultra Cider.
An official announcement is coming some from A-B InBev.
Below – the planned logo for Johnny Appleseed Cider Brand.
A New Rita to Join Bud’s Lineup
Anheuser-Busch has seen great success with the addition of the “Rita” series to the Bud lineup. The first release of Lime-a-Rita, followed up Straw-ber-Rita. Now shipping is Cran-ber-Rita, the winter seasonal.
A fourth offering is coming soon – Raz-Ber- Rita. Budweiser will use artificial raspberry flavors with Bud Light Lime as a base. This packaging is a 25oz can, but but if the first three offerings are any indication, many other formats will follow.
No ETA as of 10/28
Bud Light Adding Cran-Brrr-Rita As A Winter Seasonal
Anheuser Busch is planning to add a winter seasonal “Rita” to the lineup. Yes, a winter seasonal beer/margarita crossover.
Anheuser has seen massive success with the a launch of Lime-a-Rita back in April, 2012. During a visit Beer Street Journal took to the Budweiser Cartersville, Georgia plant a few months ago, we were told that Rita was so popular shortly after launch that people were offering to by the new beer hybrid from the truck drivers.
That lead to the launch of a second offering, Straw-Ber-Rita back in November. Sales of the strawberry still have not eclipsed the Lime predecessor.
Soon, enter a new seasonal – Cran-Brrr-Rita. Assuming the base beer is the same, cranberry is the change up for this seasonal. In the meantime, we will wait for the ensuing marking campaign featuring (insert celebrity here).
Budweiser Launches “Dream Job” Opportunity In Europe [VIDEO]
Budweiser Dream Job, is a new project designed to get people to kick start their dream career.The brewery is offering to fund an individual for a year, and help make that dream job a reality. The prize package is valued at €50,000. [Budweiser]
