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Anheuser-Busch Lets Ohio Beer Drinkers Pick Hometown Specialty Brew

Posted on: Tuesday, 4 April 2006, 12:00 CDT

ST. LOUIS, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The brewmasters were picked, the suggestions were given and the beers were whittled down to a select few -- and now it's your time to vote! Beginning this month, residents in Columbus, Ohio, can take part in Anheuser-Busch's newest local specialty beers program by logging onto http://www.originalbeers.com/ to cast their vote for a brew that best suits their own individual tastes.

Columbus, Ohio, beer candidates include Burnin' Helles, Racer Snake Red and the Old Eyepopper (descriptions are below). The names and beer styles were created by a small team of local employees at the Columbus, Ohio brewery. Each specialty beer will be crafted locally with the winning beer to be made and only sold to Ohio residents beginning June 26.

"We were asked to get creative and brew something fun and different that would reflect local tastes," Agnes Sacaquini, assistant brewmaster, Specialty Brewing Group of Columbus, Ohio, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "The result is a collection of new ales and lagers that showcases the talents of our brewing team that we hope will appeal to the tastes of our hometown beer drinkers. We're excited to see how people vote, and we can't wait to tap the first keg of the winning beer for the people of Ohio."

Adults in Columbus, Ohio, will be able to visit http://www.originalbeers.com/ to vote on the following three beers created at the local Anheuser-Busch brewery:

-- Burnin' Helles -- This rich and malty Bock-style lager will tempt you as it showcases the finest domestic malts and the best hand-picked Bavarian Hallertau hops. It's a true salute to more than 200 years of Ohio's proud brewing tradition. This beer will appeal to those who have "a bit of a devil in you." (6.3 percent alcohol by volume) -- Racer Snake Red -- Celebrating the official reptile of Ohio, this brew blends Tettnang, Millennium and Saaz hops to create a majestic, all malt American-style Amber. We want all Ohioans to raise their glass to this state's official reptile. (5.5 percent alcohol by volume) -- Old Eyepopper -- This Dunkel-style brew is a blend of Caramel and Chocolate malts brewed with Bavarian hops that produces a balanced combination of sweetness and bitterness giving "Old E" its deliciously dark, complex, malty flavor. It's an "eye poppingly" appealing brew. (5.4 percent alcohol by volume)

Additionally, this program will take place in New England, where the Merrimack, N.H., brewery created its own unique beers for voting. Residents in New England including New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts will be able to visit http://www.originalbeers.com/ to vote on the following three beers created at the Merrimack brewery:

-- Devil's Hop Yard IPA -- Incredibly "hopped-up" and citrusy ale -- using domestically grown hops varietals to get the rich and robust flavor. -- Stone Face Ale -- Brewed in the British-Colonial tradition of New England blending Victory, Caramel and Black malts gives this "Brown" a rich, smooth, malty flavor. -- Leaf Peeper Pils -- A deep golden-colored, high-alcohol pilsner, brewed using a blend of Saaz and Hallertau hops resulting in a rich- flavored Imperial Pilsner.

Created with the beer enthusiast in mind, those adults 21 and over logging onto http://www.originalbeers.com/ will find the beer candidates names in addition to information on specific details including the types of hops and malts used to create each brew. Voters are also provided with background on The Specialty Brewing Group and can leave comments regarding their favorite beer of choice. Those who participate can vote as often as they choose until April 30, when voting will be tallied and the winning beers will be brewed.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding nearly 50 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2006. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is America's top recycler of aluminum cans. For more information, visit http://www.anheuser-busch.com/ .

Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

CONTACT: Bill Mueller, +1-314-577-4017, orwilliam.mueller@anheuser-busch.com , or Kim Yurkovich, +1-314-577-9671, orkimberly.yurkovich@anheuser-busch.com , both of Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

Web site: http://www.anheuser-busch.com/http://www.originalbeers.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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