Budweiser is Turning All Beer “Green” on St. Patrick’s Day to Expand its Commitment to Sustainability and Encourage Industry-Wide Change

From Anheuser-Busch & Budweiser:

On March 17, Budweiser will pledge renewable energy credits equivalent to the estimated electricity needed to brew every beer in the U.S. in a single day

March 12 2021, New York, NY  – This St. Patrick’s Day, Budweiser is flipping a long honored tradition on its head. Instead of using green food dye to turn beer green, Budweiser is turning all beer “green” on March 17 by pledging enough Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to cover the estimated electricity used to brew beer in the U.S. in one day* and build on its commitment to building a greener future.

Budweiser’s St. Patrick’s Day campaign creative will feature many beer brands, to represent the entire U.S. beer industry. This unconventional approach to celebrating St. Paddy’s Day emphasizes that all beer brewed in the U.S. on this day will be “green,” as a result of Budweiser’s decision to pledge enough RECs to cover the estimated electricity used to brew every beer in the U.S. for one day.

“Budweiser is  brewed with 100% renewable electricity from wind power**, something we are very proud of, and inspired us to think differently about what the definition of green beer truly means and how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a new way this year,” said Monica Rustgi, VP of Marketing at Budweiser. “As one of the world’s biggest brands, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact, and through this campaign, we invite others to join us in helping to change the beer industry to be a more sustainable one.”

Budweiser is inviting other beer brands to join an industry-unifying commitment to brew all beers in the U.S. with 100% renewable electricity by 2030– a goal Budweiser is calling, the “Green Electricity Beer Bar.” This call to action sets a higher bar for the entire U.S. beer industry on the issues of sustainability and helps move us closer toward a future where every beer, in every bar in America will ultimately be brewed with renewable electricity – thus making all U.S. bars, Green Electricity Beer Bars. Even though consumers won’t be hitting the bar scene this St. Paddy’s Day, they can still celebrate with “green” beer on St. Patrick’s Day knowing that Budweiser has retired, or removed from circulation, enough RECs to cover the estimated electricity used to brew every beer in the U.S. for that day. U.S. brewers can join us and learn more about the Green Beer Bar by visiting www.Budweiser.com/GreenBeerBar.

Budweiser holds a longstanding commitment to sustainability and is an industry leader in reducing its environmental impact. Budweiser’s 2019 Super Bowl ad “Wind Never Felt Better” demonstrated the brand’s effort to use renewable electricity to power its brewing process. During the film, Budweiser announced that it was the first Anheuser-Busch brand to be brewed with 100% renewable electricity from wind power, a commitment that is featured on all Budweiser packaging.

“Budweiser has consistently shown its commitment to renewable electricity since Anheuser Busch joined RE100. They demonstrate what leadership truly looks like through their ambitious sustainability efforts and influencing their peers to go renewable,” said Amy Davidsen, Executive Director, North America, The Climate Group. “It’s crucial that more businesses switch to clean power if we are to reduce emissions in half by the end of this decade, and it’s great to see Budweiser serve as an inspiration for other companies to take action.”

Anheuser-Busch is committed to protecting the environment across its entire supply chain – from seed to sip. Anheuser-Busch has signed the RE100, committing to securing 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2025. In 2018, AB launched ambitious sustainability goals focused on: renewable electricity and carbon reduction, water stewardship, smart agriculture, and circular packaging.  Budweiser has been brewing using 100% renewable electricity for years, and Anheuser-Busch is currently the 20th largest user of renewable electricity in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership.

*Based on electricity usage estimates from the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable.

**Wind Power is one form of energy the beer industry uses to brew. To learn more, visit budwesier.com.

About Budweiser

Budweiser, an American-style lager, was introduced in 1876 when company founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States’ first truly national beer brand – brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including "kraeusening" for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.

About Anheuser-Busch

For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.