Anheuser-Busch's Fort Collins Brewery Celebrates 25th Anniversary

FORT COLLINS, Colo., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1988, Anheuser-Busch added another cornerstone to its brewing legacy with the opening of its brewery in Fort Collins, Colo.  The brewery, which took nearly three and a half years to construct, was designed based on generations of brewmaster expertise and was one of the most technologically-capable breweries.  Twenty-five years later, the state-of-the-art brewery remains a fixture of the region's landscape and the company's commitment to provide beer drinkers with the most consistent, highest-quality beers in the world. 

"We are proud to celebrate 25 years here in Fort Collins and the countless accomplishments of our employees – from our brewmasters to our operators," said Kevin Fahrenkrog, senior general manager of the Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins brewery.  "Our team is focused on brewing and packaging some of the world's most popular beers, and continuing our long tradition of brewing excellence."

Since its opening, the brewery has undergone three expansions, with the last expansion completed in April 2003, which included a brewhouse renovation, additional grain silos, expansion of the fermentation and aging cellars, an additional warehouse and a new truck entrance.  It currently serves more than 15 states, has an annual capacity of nearly 10 million barrels and produces more than 25 different beers, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Shock Top.  The brewery ships approximately 225 trucks each day and 30 railcars each week.

"Brewing is an art and a science, and our Fort Collins brewery is a perfect example of how modernization and brewing tradition unite.  You really can't have a better brewery to bring it all together than right here," said Katie Rippel, senior brewmaster of the Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins brewery.  "From the latest technology to the generations of expertise passed down from our brewers, we have one of the finest brewing operations in the country."

In addition to leading the local brewing industry, the Fort Collins brewery also is a leading member of the Fort Collins business community and is committed to economic development efforts across the region.  Additionally, the company and its employees have a long history of helping to improve the community for their friends and neighbors, which includes partnering with Habitat for Humanity, donating to the United Way and volunteering to participate in watershed and wildlife restoration projects. 

The Fort Collins brewery tour center is a favorite destination of residents and visitors to the region, hosting more than 60,000 guests annually.  The brewery is also home to the Budweiser Clydesdales' West Coast hitch. 

For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch and its world-class brewmasters have carried on a legacy of brewing America's most-popular beers.  Starting with the finest, all-natural ingredients sourced from Anheuser-Busch's family of growers, every batch is hand-crafted using the same exacting standards and time-honored traditions passed down through generations of proud Anheuser-Busch brewmasters and employees.  Best known for its fine American-style lagers, Budweiser and Bud Light, the company's beers lead numerous beer segments and combined hold 47.6 percent share of the U.S. beer market.  Anheuser-Busch is the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev and operates 12 local breweries, 16 distributorships and 23 agricultural and packaging facilities across the United States, representing a capital investment of more than $15.5 billion.  Its flagship brewery remains in St. Louis, Mo., and is among the global company's largest and most technologically capable breweries.  Visitor and special beermaster tours are available at its St. Louis and four other Anheuser-Busch breweries.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch