Kasey hopes Budweiser will put their support behind him for the 2009 Sprint Series. The king still resides over his court

Anheuser-Busch hasn’t announced who they’re going to throw their sponsorship behind for 2009. They may go with Kasey Kahne, who they sponsored in 2008, after the departure of Dale Earnhardt Jr. for Hendricks Motorsports at the end of 2007. But they estimate they only received around 12 million in benefits due to this arrangement, less than fifty percent of the exposure value they received using Dale Earnhardt Jr., so they might be looking around for someone they figure is a little more high-profile to help them return a little more value for their dollar.

Budweiser put their money behind Kahne in 2008

Kasey Kahne is probably crossing his fingers and planning on Budweiser continuing their relationship, it’s hard to find sponsors in the current economic climate and I’m sure the last thing we wants to do is find a new sponsor for 2009. Budweiser on the other hand, is probably wishing Richard or Dale were still available, instead of being otherwise occupied.

Post from: EveryJoe

Anheuser-Busch Drops Sponsorship for Kenny

We’ve reported on the sale of Anheuser Busch and its flagship Budweiser brand beer to InBev. At this point, A-B and Budweiser are effectively synonymous, at least in the US, but there was a time when there were many different Budweiser beers across the US (including one brewed by Miller). Indeed, the name “Budweiser” really just means “from Budweis” in German, much as “Pilsener” means “from Pilsen.” US brewers, familiar with the long brewing history of Budweis, used the name in the US to connote old-world brewing quality.

The last of the American Budweisers was brewed by the DuBois brewing company of DuBois, Pennsylvania. DuBois first started brewing its Budweiser in 1905, long after A-B, but the St Louis giant failed to challenge the small Pennsylvania brewery until some 35 years later. The dispute was solved once and for all in 1972, after DuBois was purchased by the Pittsburgh brewing company. DuBois stopped brewing shortly thereafter, and the brewery building was razed in 2003.

That leaves A-B’s Budweiser and it’s international archrival Budweiser Budvar, from the Czech Republic as the only two Budweisers left.

image courtesy of Mark, public domain

Post from: EveryJoe

And then there were two …

Hmm, wasn’t that Bud’s slogan?

You can see what else Pattyn had to say here:

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Quel Surprise! Belgian Beer Expert Doesn’t Like Budweiser

The Missouri based Anheuser-Busch was America’s largest brewer and the world’s second largest. Its brands include Budweiser (”the great American lager”), Bud Light, Michelob and Busch.

InBev’s brands include Stella Artois and Becks.

InBev claims that it will use St. Louis as its North American headquarters. InBev has also promised that it will keep open all 12 of Anheuser-Busch’s North American breweries, which are located in:

- St. Louis, Missouri (world headquarters)
- Baldwinsville, New York
- Cartersville, Georgia
- Columbus, Ohio
- Fairfield, California
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Houston, Texas
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California
- Merrimack, New Hampshire
- Newark, New Jersey
- Williamsburg, Virginia

InBev has not promised to retain all A-B employees. It is widely believed that the company will see cutbacks as cost-cutting has been a central theme of A-B’s failed preservation plan. How significant those cutbacks will be is yet to be seen.

There’s a lot of speculation about the result of the merger – but not a lot of information. What do you think? Is this a bad thing for beer?

Post from: EveryJoe

Hallo Budweiser!

An online petition at SaveBudweiser.com has garnered nearly 62,000 signatures. You can sign the petition here.

You can also buy a “Save Budweiser” tee shirt on the site. The “keep our beer here” shirts run $8.

Post from: EveryJoe

You can Save Anheuser-Busch – Or At Least Get an Iconic Tee Shirt

InBev has offered 35% over the current share price for A-B and 18% over the previous all-time high. Yet, A-B rejected the proposal last month.

Really?

Don’t misconstrue my disbelief. Like Chris, I won’t lose any sleep over the purchase – after all, I’m more likely to pick up an InBev brewed Stella Artois or Beck’s than a Bud. But I’m not gung ho to see another American company sold either.

That said, I can’t imagine how turning down the purchase is good for shareholders. A-B is not in a favorable economic position right. To keep the company, A-B has been forced into an extensive reorganization to increase profits and cut costs, measures that InBev has criticized.

A-B responded to the filing by saying the move “is a self-serving effort by InBev to try to purchase Anheuser-Busch for a price Anheuser-Busch’s independent board already has determined to be financially inadequate and not in the best interest of shareholders.”

Financially inadequate, really? Almost 20% over the high price to date?

Call a spade a spade: it’s clear that A-B doesn’t want to sell. InBev has claimed that the company is unwilling to even enter into discussions on a takeover.

That behavior seems to be what’s not in the best interest of shareholders. The speculation hasn’t helped for sure: shares of A-B closed Monday at $61.74 – still less than the $65 offer made by InBev previously.

Post from: EveryJoe

InBev Gets Tough With Anheuser-Busch

Hmm.

I wonder what John McCain thinks – since his wife’s wealth is tied to A-B, I’m guessing he would think it’s quite a shame, too.

Post from: EveryJoe

Obama Gets Behind Budweiser

On the other end of the age spectrum, a 74 year old woman drove through Joe’s Food Mart and Video in Norwalk, California – only Joe’s isn’t a drive through.

Lynne Rice drove her 1988 Cadillac halfway through the store, destroying 2 glass panels. She then got out of the car, walked to the cooler and attempted to buy a six pack of Budweiser. The clerk declined the sale (good move) and called 911. Rice was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Thankfully, nobody was injured. No word on what happened to the Budweiser.

Post from: EveryJoe

74 Year Old Woman “Creates” Drive Through to Buy Budweiser

I guess they’re just hedging their bets.

Post from: EveryJoe

This Bud’s for Al

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Beer sponsorship