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Billy Busch Ends Foray into Brewing
By Tom McCormick Filed Under: General News
The William K. Busch Brewing Co., maker of Kräftig beer, is ceasing operations, end his personal and ambitious foray into the beer business.
Busch is the son of the late August “Gussie” Busch Jr. but never worked for Anheuser-Busch. When A-B sold to Belgian brewer InBev in 2008, Billy Busch set off to replicate his families brewing legacy.
“After careful consideration, the William K. Busch Brewing Company has decided to shut down,” Busch said in a St. Louise Post-Dispatch article. “I want to thank all of our customers, retailers, suppliers, and vendors who have supported us over the last eight years. I’ve always been passionate about brewing, because it’s in my blood. I hope to one day return to this great American-led industry.”
The William K. Busch Brewing Co.’s Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light were brewed under contract at a facility in Wisconsin and Busch was in the process of building a brewery on land that he owns just north of St. Louise. The brewery was slated to be completed by late next year.
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Sad But True Department – Pabst Intros Hard Coffee
By Tom McCormick Filed Under: Commentary, Major Brand News
The “new age” of alcohol beverages is the talk of the industry with hard seltzers, hard kombucha and other innovative drinks seemingly all the rage. Like a race to be the “next new style” of beer created grapefruit IPA’s, Hazy this-and-that and other esoteric flavors, will we now see a surge in “off-flavored” alcoholic beverages? My guess is yes. And look what just popped up; Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee, a chocolate-flavored malt beverage (FMB) with Arabica and robusta coffee beans, milk, and vanilla.
“Pabst Blue Ribbon has always been a brand that pushes boundaries and celebrates those who experiment and try new things,” Pabst Blue Ribbon Brand Manager John Newhouse said in a release. “Hard Coffee is an opportunity for us to pioneer a delicious and fun new drink, and give America something unique. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do.”
I guessing that state and federal regulatory agencies won’t like it as much as Newhouse does. The product does contain caffeine, which has been banned in the past in alcoholic beverages, most notably the caffeinated beer brand Moonshot which was shut down by the FDA. Other states such as California have taken a dislike to packaged caffeinated alcohol drinks.
PBR Hard Coffee is only selling in test markets, where it might just stay.