Craft Beer Exploration: Beyond The Anheuser-Busch Realm

If you're looking for a beer that isn't affiliated with Anheuser-Busch, you're in luck! While Anheuser-Busch is the largest brewing company in the US, with a market share of 45% in 2016, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Some popular beers that are not owned by Anheuser-Busch include Miller Lite, Peroni, Leinenkugel's, Coors, Heineken, Amstel, Yuengling, and Guinness. Additionally, there are numerous local and regional microbreweries that offer unique and flavourful craft beers. So, if you're looking to expand your beer horizons beyond Anheuser-Busch, there are plenty of alternatives to explore and enjoy!

Coors Brewing Company

The Coors Brewing Company is a great alternative to Anheuser-Busch, with a rich history and a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. Since 1873, Coors has been brewing beer at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in what is now the largest single-site brewery in the world. The company offers a range of beers, including their classic Coors Banquet, as well as Coors Light, which has become a popular choice for beer drinkers.

The Coors Brewery Tour invites visitors to explore their legacy of brewing tradition. The 90-minute tour takes guests through the malting, brewing, and packaging processes, offering a glimpse into the history of the company with old photos, neon signs, and memorabilia. The tour also includes guided sampling for guests over 21 years old, providing an opportunity to taste the beers and experience the passion that goes into each brew.

Coors has a strong focus on innovation, always looking for new ways to improve their brewing processes and create unique beers. They are not afraid to experiment with different ingredients and techniques, resulting in a diverse range of beers that cater to various tastes and preferences. Whether you're a fan of light and refreshing lagers or prefer something with more flavour and body, Coors has a beer to suit your palate.

In addition to their commitment to quality and innovation, Coors prioritises customer service. They strive to build strong relationships with their customers and are always looking for ways to enhance their experience. This dedication to customer satisfaction has helped Coors become one of the leading brewing companies in the industry, with a loyal following of beer enthusiasts who appreciate their attention to detail and commitment to delivering a superior product.

So, if you're looking for a beer that's not associated with Anheuser-Busch, Coors Brewing Company is an excellent choice. With their long-standing tradition, innovative spirit, and customer-centric approach, you can be sure to enjoy a high-quality beer that delivers on taste and satisfaction.

Heineken International

Heineken N.V. is a Dutch multinational brewing company, founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken in Amsterdam. Heineken has a vast global presence, with business operations across the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. The company owns over 165 breweries in more than 70 countries and employs approximately 85,000-90,000 people.

Heineken produces and distributes a diverse range of beverages, including beers, spirits, wines, and soft drinks. The company's portfolio includes international premium, regional, and local beers, as well as non-alcoholic, flavoured, and less bitter variants. Heineken markets its products under various brand names, some of which are household names across the globe.

Heineken's two largest international brands are Heineken and Amstel, but the company's portfolio extends far beyond these two powerhouses. Other notable brands in Heineken's portfolio include Birra Moretti, Edelweiss, Lagunitas, Sol, Desperados, and Tiger. The company also owns several regional brands, such as Dos Equis, Red Stripe, Tecate, Bintang, and Kingfisher.

In addition to its own brands, Heineken has expanded its reach through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. In 2015, for example, Heineken acquired a 50% stake in Lagunitas Brewing Company, a California-based craft brewer, eventually buying the remaining 50% in 2017. This acquisition allowed Heineken to expand its presence in the United States and brought Lagunitas' popular craft beers under its umbrella.

Heineken has also been an active sponsor of sporting and cultural events worldwide. The company has been a partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2005 and has sponsored rugby union competitions, tennis tournaments, and music festivals.

Yuengling

D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States, established in 1829. It is also the largest American-owned brewery in the country. The company's headquarters are in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and it operates two other facilities in Pennsylvania and a brewery in Tampa, Florida.

The company's flagship product is the Yuengling Traditional Lager, an amber lager. It is so popular in Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley that it can be ordered in some bars simply by asking for a lager. The lager was first introduced in 1987 and has since become the company's flagship brand, accounting for 80% of production. It is usually sold in green bottles featuring the word "LAGER" on the label, but is also available in cans, brown quart bottles, and 24-ounce cans. The lager is 4.5% ABV and is described as having a rich amber colour and a medium-bodied flavour with roasted caramel malt and a subtle sweetness.

Miller Brewing Company

The Miller Brewing Company is an American brewery founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1855 by Frederick Miller, a German immigrant. Initially purchasing the small Plank Road Brewery, Miller's new brewery was located in what is now the Miller Valley, providing easy access to raw materials from nearby farms. The company remained in the Miller family until 1966, when it was sold to the conglomerate W. R. Grace and Company, before being bought by Philip Morris (now Altria) in 1969.

In the following decades, Miller Brewing Company changed hands several times, being acquired by South African Breweries in 2002, before becoming part of SABMiller in 2006. In 2015, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced it had reached an agreement to acquire SABMiller, but as part of this agreement, SABMiller had to sell its stake in MillerCoors to Molson Coors, giving them sole ownership of the Miller brand portfolio outside the US. Today, Molson Coors operates the Miller Brewery at the site of the original Miller Brewing Company complex in Milwaukee.

Pabst Brewing Company

The Pabst Brewing Company is an American company that was founded in 1844 by Jacob Best and was named after Frederick Pabst by 1889. Pabst is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and is currently owned by Blue Ribbon Partners, an investment platform led by American beer and beverage entrepreneur Eugene Kashper.

The original brewery was founded in 1844 as The Empire Brewery, later becoming Best and Company. The brewery was initially run by Jacob Sr. and his sons Phillip, Charles, Jacob Jr., and Lorenz, with Phillip taking control in 1860. In 1863, Frederick Pabst, a steamship captain and Phillip's son-in-law, bought 50% of the company and became vice president. In 1866, the remaining half of the business was sold to Frederick's business partner, making him president.

In addition to Pabst Blue Ribbon, the company also produces several other beers, including Pabst Extra, a stronger 6.5% lager, Pabst Easy, a low-calorie light beer (3.8% ABV), and Pabst Non-Alc, with less than 0.5% ABV. Pabst also brews Ice Man Malt Liquor, St. Ides High Gravity Malt Liquor, and retail versions of beers from various breweries.

Pabst has had a long and dynamic history, including a period during Prohibition when the company stopped making beer and switched to cheese production, selling over 8 million pounds of Pabst-ett Cheese. The company has changed hands several times, with notable owners such as Paul Kalmanovitz, a "self-made" beer and real-estate baron who purchased Pabst in 1985, and Blue Ribbon Partners, the current owners.

Pabst's mission has always been to "make a good beer at a fair price," and the company takes pride in being defined by its audience and staying true to its values of inclusivity, freedom, integrity, and passion.

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