The Busch family, headed by Billy Busch Sr., has been a household name in the beer industry for over 150 years. The family is known for founding the Budweiser brand and Anheuser-Busch, which was sold to InBev in 2008. The Busch family has since ventured into reality TV with their show 'The Busch Family Brewed' and is also opening its own craft brewery on their 700-acre property outside of St. Louis, marking their return to the beer business.
The Busch family takes pride in keeping their beer traditions alive, and their new brewery will produce a range of beers, from small-batch lagers to artisan-style beers, as well as whiskey barrel-aged beers and beer barrel-aged whiskeys. While the family has moved on from the Budweiser brand, they remain loyal to their legacy and are particular about drinking only Anheuser-Busch products.
What You'll Learn
Budweiser is the first national beer brand in the US
In 1876, Busch toured Europe and studied the changes in brewing methods, particularly the success of pilsner beer, including a popular Budweiser beer brewed in Budweis, Bohemia (now České Budějovice, Czechia). Inspired by this trip, Busch took the already well-known name Budweiser for his new beer, even though the product had no connections to the city of Budweis. The ability to transport bottled beer across the US, thanks to Busch's innovations in refrigeration, made Budweiser the country's first national beer brand. It was marketed as a "premium" beer.
The Busch family fully controlled the company through the generations until Anheuser-Busch's sale to InBev in 2008. Today, Budweiser is a brand of the Belgian company AB InBev, available in over 80 countries.
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The Busch family is building a new brewery for the first time in 100 years
The Busch family is building a new brewery for the first time in over a century. Billy Busch Sr., the family patriarch and founder of the William K. Busch Brewing Co., is leading the project on the family's 700-acre property outside of St. Louis. The new brewery and distillery will be located on Blue Heron Farm in Defiance, Missouri, occupying over 20,000 square feet.
The Busch family, known for their long history in the brewing industry, is returning to their roots with this new venture. The family had previously owned Anheuser-Busch, the producers of Budweiser, until it was sold to InBev in 2008. Now, they are starting fresh with a craft brewery that will produce a range of beers, from small-batch lagers to artisan-style beers made with hops and barley grown on their property.
Billy Jr., the eldest of seven siblings, shared that this new brewery is about more than just business. It's about keeping the family's traditions alive and writing a new chapter in their brewing history. The Busch family has a long legacy in the beer industry, dating back to Adolphus Busch, who founded Budweiser and formed Anheuser-Busch after marrying Lilly Anheuser in 1861.
The new brewery will have a maximum annual production capacity of 2,500 barrels and seating for 265 guests. Some of the beers will be made available to distributors, while others will be exclusive to the brewery. In addition to small-batch lagers, the brewery will also offer handmade whiskey barrel-aged beers and beer barrel-aged whiskeys, as well as Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light.
The Busch family's return to brewing is not just about continuing their legacy but also about innovation and creating new, vibrant beers. This new brewery marks a significant moment for the family, as they embark on a new journey to blend their rich history with modern brewing techniques and create unique craft beers.
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Billy Busch Sr. is the patriarch of the Busch family
Billy Busch Sr. is the head of the Busch family, as seen on the MTV reality series, 'The Busch Family Brewed'. He is the great-grandson of Adolphus Busch, who founded the Budweiser beer brand. Billy Sr.'s great-great-grandfather, Adolphus, came to the United States from Germany and started the Budweiser brand after marrying Lilly Anheuser, the daughter of a local pharmacist and soap manufacturer. Adolphus was the first American brewer to use pasteurization, mechanical refrigeration, and bottled beer extensively, making Budweiser the first national beer brand in the US.
The Busch family fully controlled the company through the generations until it was sold to InBev in 2008. Billy Jr., Billy Sr.'s son, explains that the family is now focused on building a new brewery to keep their family's legacy and traditions alive. Billy Sr. is very close to his family and wants to continue the Busch family name and heritage through this new brewery.
Billy Sr. enjoys hunting and visiting the zoo, and he likes to take on challenges. He is also fond of spending time with his family and friends, often partaking in activities such as riding elephants and coaching his children to drive the Clydesdales, which the family owns and has a long tradition with.
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Billy Busch Jr. is the responsible one
Billy Jr. takes his role in preserving the family legacy seriously. He always stays loyal to the family brand and is careful about what he drinks in public. Billy Jr. explains that people pay close attention to what he is drinking, ensuring that he is not accidentally drinking a competitor's beer. This is particularly interesting because the Busch family no longer owns the Anheuser-Busch company, having sold it to InBev in 2008. Despite this, Billy Jr. is committed to keeping his family's brewing traditions alive.
In an interview, Billy Jr. and his sister Haley shared some secrets about growing up in the Busch family. One of the most unique traditions is that newborns are given a drop of Budweiser straight out of the womb. This is a long-standing family custom that has been passed down through generations.
The Busch family is also known for their exotic animals, including Clydesdales, which they use for coaching. Billy Jr. explains that his father taught him and his siblings how to drive the coach, passing on the reins to the next generation.
Billy Jr.'s commitment to responsibility and preserving his family's legacy extends beyond just the beer-drinking aspect. He also values family above all else and is excited to start the new journey of building a brewery on land that holds many memories for him.
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Haley Busch is the sweet one
Haley Busch, born on February 3, 1993, is an actress and producer, known for films such as The Final Song, 23 Minutes to Sunrise, and The Importance of Doubting Tom. She is the great-granddaughter of Adolphus A. Busch, the founder of the Anheuser-Busch Company and the Budweiser beer brand.
Haley is one of seven siblings in the Busch family, which is renowned for its long history in the beer industry. In a reality TV series called Busch Family Brewed, Haley and her brother Billy Jr. shared some insights into what it was like growing up in this unique family. Haley was described as "the sweet one" among the siblings, and here are some reasons why:
- Haley values family traditions and is committed to keeping them alive. She and her family were planning to build a new brewery on their farm, which was more than just a business venture. It was a way to continue the legacy of her great-great-grandfather, Adolphus Busch, who founded Budweiser.
- Haley stays loyal to the family brand and is careful about what she drinks in public. She shared that people pay close attention to what she drinks and are quick to call her out if she's seen with a competitor's beer, even though the family no longer owns the company.
- Haley had a disciplined approach to underage drinking. She shared that her mother kept a close eye on her and her siblings, and they were never allowed to drink beer until they turned 21. However, following a family tradition, the first thing they tasted straight out of the womb was a drop of Budweiser.
- Haley has a soft spot for animals, especially the family's beloved Clydesdales. She described these massive horses as "giant teddy bears" and "giant dinosaurs" that are "super-exotic." The Clydesdales hold a special place in the Busch family's history, and Haley enjoys driving them around the farm and spending time with them.
- Haley comes from a family with a unique history and exotic animal connections. Her parents met because her dad was an elephant trainer, and her mom was a monkey trainer on the family's exotic animal park. Haley had a fascinating childhood with access to various animals, including riding elephants around the property.
- Haley seems to have a close relationship with her mother, Christi. She shared that all seven siblings have a giant portrait of their mother holding them as babies in their rooms. While some might find it unusual, Haley has embraced this tradition, and the portrait remains in her room.
Overall, Haley Busch comes across as a sweet and down-to-earth person who values family, traditions, and the legacy built by her ancestors. She has a soft spot for animals and seems to have a close bond with her family, making her a relatable and endearing member of the Busch family.
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Frequently asked questions
The Busch family founded the Anheuser-Busch brand, which includes Budweiser, Busch, Michelob, Bud Light, and Natural Light.
The Busch family lost ownership of Anheuser-Busch when it was sold to InBev in 2008.
No, the Busch family is still involved in brewing beer. In 2020, they were approved to break ground on a new craft brewery on their property outside of St. Louis.
The new craft brewery founded by the Busch family is called Busch Family Brewing and Distilling.
The brewery produces a range of beers, including small-batch, high-quality lagers, artisan-style beers, handmade whiskey barrel-aged beers, and beer barrel-aged whiskeys.