Budweiser Goes Belgium

By Andrew Ehinger

OK I'll admit it. I'm a "hophead". In other words: I enjoy a good beer.  The hoppier the better. So the news that Anheuser-Busch is being bought out by Belgium über brewer InBev for a whopping 52 BILLION got me to do a double take. Say what you will about their beers, but Budweiser is an American icon. The Budweiser Clydesdales have kept the King of Beers at the top of the frosty mug of the beer business for decades.

So what's gonna happen to the Beechwood aging?? If we say "Budweiser (or InBev as the case now may be) have we said it all?" News is InBev is promising they're not gonna change anything with Bud in the U.S., but may take the iconic beer into untapped markets around the world. Now that could be interesting. However I personally prefer craft beers that go in a different flavor direction.

What's a craft beer you ask? Well some people used to call them "micro beers", small local or regional brewery's that usually make unique (non Budweiser) styles beers. Craft beers can be challenging to find. They are not typically served at every bar, but if you look carefully you can find them. If you see a tap handle that you don't recognize, good chance is it's a craft beer - just ask your bartender.

This year there has been a shortage of two of the four major ingredients in beer: malted barley and hops. That has forced up prices for the little brewers and increased costs to beer lovers world wide. With InBev's size the shortages have not had such a dramatic effect but ask craft brewers and they'll tell you they're hurting. So what can you do? Well give the little guys a try. Talk with your bartender who's serving a craft beer about what mass market beers you like and ask for a taste of a similar craft beer. You never know, you might find something new you'll like.

Cheers!