Anheuser-Busch has joined the “apple train” with the addition of Bud Light Apple. A-B InBev’s biggest competition MillerCoors has found great success with the addition of Redd’s Apple Ale. So much so, that the brand extension has added Strawberry, Sweet Tea, and Cranberry editions.
You’ll recall this isn’t the first time that Anheuser-Busch has released a spin on their most popular brand Bud Light. Specifically, the Bud Light “Rita” Series, with Lemon-Ade-Rita, Mang-O-Rita, Lime-A-Rita just to name a few.
The Rita Series was such a popular addition for A-B that it prompted Dos Equis to release Dos-A-Rita.
Anheuser-Busch has launched this new beer, in the state of Georgia only as a limited release. Interestingly, since the first mention of this beer appeared on Beer Street Journal, the brewery agreed to acquisition terms with SABMiller. If that deal goes through, the mega-brewery would own both Redd’s Apple Ale, and Bud Light Apple.
Let’s not forget the Anheuser-Busch marketing team’s strike against peach pumpkin ales, and this summer’s shot at watermelon wheat beers. I guess the Anheuser-Busch market research has proven that people cheer when you bring apples to the party. Just ask MillerCoors.
Style: Light Lager (w/ Apple)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, 16oz Aluminum Bottles, Draft.
Release: November, 2015
4.2% ABV
So that’s what they’re going to do with the Virtue cider they’ve just acquired!
Virtue actually makes (made?) a decent cider. This is not a cider at all. This is a beer with “natural apple flavorings” added. Cider is fermented apple juice. Beer is fermented grain extracts in water. Hopefully the Virtue folks stay far away from the light-beer side of the conglomerate.
Is there a special emoji or something I should use next time to indicate sarcasm?
LOL.
AB has run ads for this for months on ad board behind home plate during Toronto Blue Jay baseball games.
Yeah, I think they have been test marketing this, or some version of this, outside the United States.
Redd’s Apple Ale is eating them for breakfast.
The Virtue acquisition makes me a bit sad. I wasn’t a huge fan of their ciders but in the bottle shop I run, they had a following and already I have seen a decline in their sales.