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.