Tuesday 24th of June 2014 09:49:06 PM

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With over 45% market share, Anheuser-Busch is the largest brewer in the US. In 2008 Anheuser-Busch merged with InBev, to became a wholly-owned subsidiary of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer. Budweiser and Bud Light are the world’s best-selling beers, and AB's extensive product line includes Busch, Natural Light, Michelob, Shock Top, King Cobra, Bare Knuckle Stout, Rolling Rock, ZiegenBock, Wild Blue Blueberry Lager (8%), the Bacardi Silver series, Green Valley Organic series, and a few rotating seasonals. Many craft beer enthusiasts criticize AB because of its flavorless lagers like Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, but don't let advertizing for those easy-drinking beers convince you AB doesn't produce any flavorful beers. For example, I've really enjoyed American Ale, Michelob craft variety cases, and Michelob Celebrate (10%). AB delivers a variety of trustworthy ales and lagers to the American beer scene.

Anheuser-Busch operates 12 breweries throughout the US: St. Louis MO (AB's original 1852 brewery), Newark NJ (AB's 2nd oldest 1951 brewery), Merrimack NH, Baldwinsville NY, Columbus OH, Fort Collins CO, Los Angeles CA, Fairfield CA, Houston TX, Jacksonville FL, Williamsburg VA, and Cartersville GA (AB's youngest 1993 brewery). Tours are available at 5 of the breweries: St. Louis MO, Merrimack NH, Fort Collins CO, Fairfield CA, and Jacksonville FL. The Cartersville brewery is barely visible through trees along interstate I85, and a steady stream of trucks visit the large facility. The sprawling complex is surrounded by green lawns, lush forest, and ample employee parking space in front. The brewery has a large distribution warehouse and multistory main building with a large red Budweiser sign on the front. The Cartersville is not open to the public, so for the best AB tour, I recommend St. Louis of course.