Anheuser-Busch Toasts The Repeal of Prohibition & Breaks Ground On Aluminum Bottle Line In Jacksonville

83 years ago on April 7, thousands of St. Louisans huddled around the doors of the Anheuser-Busch brewery’s Bevo building, eagerly waiting to once again taste the crisp and refreshing notes of Budweiser. As the clock struck midnight, the brewery’s steam whistles sounded and America’s favorite beer rolled out – marking the official start to the Repeal of Prohibition.

This time marks one of the most significant anniversaries for Anheuser-Busch and the American beer industry altogether. The Repeal of Prohibition restored confidence in America during the Great Depression by creating thousands of jobs and infusing millions into the economy. On April 7, 1933, Anheuser-Busch also introduced the Budweiser Clydesdales to the world when they marched through the streets of Washington, D.C., delivering the first case of post- prohibition Budweiser to the White House. This eight-horse hitch would soon become a national icon for the brand.

To honor this important time in history, the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis and Fort Collins Biergartens will be the site for Repeal of Prohibition celebrations on Saturday, April 9. Replicating the celebrations in 1933, the events will recognize a significant milestone in the history of American brewing by featuring a sample of Anheuser-Busch’s post-prohibition beers: Budweiser, Faust and Michelob.

Guests – who are invited to dress up in 1930s-era themed costumes – can also enjoy music from a live band and a variety of beer pairing menu items. 

For more information and to purchase ticket for these events, please visitHomeOfBud.com.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (March 31, 2016) – Anheuser-Busch today broke ground on a $175 million aluminum bottle line at its Metal Container Corporation (MCC) facility in Jacksonville, Fla. As part of the company’s plan to increase production of the popular Budweiser and Bud Light aluminum bottles, the project will create approximately 75 new jobs at the facility.

“Since it launched in early 2014, the aluminum bottle has become overwhelmingly popular with beer drinkers, and we are proud to break ground on a new line in Jacksonville that will further expand production of the popular bottles, while adding jobs,” said Dave Taylor, president, MCC. “The innovative, high-demand aluminum bottles will be enjoyed by fans as the 2016 baseball season and the busy spring and summer beer-selling seasons begin.”

Anheuser-Busch first began producing the aluminum bottles in 2013. Jacksonville will be the second MCC facility to produce them. Anheuser-Busch has also operated a brewery in Jacksonville since 1969.

“Anheuser-Busch and MCC are proud to be part of the Jacksonville community and employ hundreds of Floridians in the Sunshine State, and we thank our local community leaders and elected officials, as this expansion project was only made possible because of an incentive program in collaboration with the State of Florida and City of Jacksonville,” said Bryan Sullivan, Jacksonville plant manager, MCC. “Having done business in the State of Florida for 50 years, Anheuser-Busch looks forward to seeing this new aluminum bottle line come to fruition.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott joined Anheuser-Busch and MCC employees at the groundbreaking today to celebrate the expansion project and the addition of new jobs to the Jacksonville community.

Governor Scott said, “Manufacturers like Anheuser-Busch are incredibly important to our state, and I am excited to join them in celebrating their ongoing expansion project and the creation of 75 new jobs. We have cut taxes more than 55 times since 2010, including permanently eliminating the sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment, which has saved Florida families and job creators $5.5 billion. By cutting taxes, we are sending a message across the country that Florida is the best place to succeed, and we will continue to do all we can to make Florida first for jobs.”

In addition to Governor Scott joining Anheuser-Busch and MCC employees at the groundbreaking event today were numerous community leaders and elected officials, including Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson, Jacksonville City Councilman Reginald Brown, Representative Reggie Fullwood (D-Jacksonville), Senator Audrey Gibson (R-Jacksonville), Representative Mia Jones (D-Jacksonville), Representative Lake Ray (R-Jacksonville), Representative Cyndi Stevenson (R-St. Johns), and Director of the Office of Economic Development of the City of Jacksonville Kirk Wendland.

Metal Container Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, operates seven facilities in the U.S. The operation also produces cans and lids for major U.S. soft drink companies, including PepsiCo. and Monster Beverage Corporation.