Budweiser

A tour of the Anheuser-Busch beer factory in Merrimack, New Hampshire, gives you a glimpse of how beer is
brewed, its most famous product being the world-renowned Budweiser.
by Sneha Bhat

The

Brewhouse

Okea | Dreamstime.com

gleaming drop of water glided down the side of the

clear glass. I reached for the bottle on the counter
and took a large swig of the pristine golden
beverage; my fuzzy insides warming instantly. Somewhere
in between taking the next sip of the freshly brewed
beer and the satisfaction derived from the first,
there was coherence. From that coherence
arose one question: How did this
magnificent drink come to be?

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Tomislav Pinter | Dreamstime.com

Anheuser-Busch InBev. Its American subsidiary,

Anheuser-Busch, has 12 breweries across the
United States, of which five offer speciality tours
on how beer is brewed. Apart from its beers,
Anheuser-Busch is also famous for creating
global footprints with its steady legacy of
corporate social responsibility, in particular,
responsible drinking and recycling.

One sip of a Budweiser and this question

stuck around in my head, until I decided to
understand the story and culture associated
with this Great American Lager. This refreshing
American brew was introduced in 1876 by
Adolphus Busch and is manufactured by the
worlds leading beer brewer, Belgium-based

Opening page: The

gleaming golden nectar has
made many brave men weak
in the knees.
Above: The noise of beer
glasses clinking along with
the merry chatter at the bar
sets the perfect mood for a
night out with friends.

Sneha Bhat

Right: The lush green hop

yard by the barn. Its thanks
to these babies that the malts
get their bitter flavour.

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In 2010, my leisure trip to Boston demanded

a visit to the Budweiser brewery in Merrimack,
New Hampshire. Unlike stereotypical free tours,
which are half-heartedly organised and executed,
this tour includes an intricate glimpse into the
making of the worlds greatest beers. Strategically
located in the scenic countryside of New England,
the drive to the brewhouse sets the pace for an
exciting day ahead.
It is best to set off for Merrimack in the morning
so that you have a few good hours for the
commute and the entire tour. Around 150 years
of Budweiser history greets you when you enter
the Visitors Center, where you can wait till the
tour begins. Tours are scheduled every fifteen
minutes, so the wait is never long. During the
wait, you can take in the rich Budweiser heritage
from the items, lithographs, bottles, cans and

Top right: The intoxicating

tour ends with sampling of
any two beers along with
some pretzels.

FOOD DRINK AND DIET/MARK SYKES | Alamy

Below: The Budweiser bottle

has retained its shape since it
was first introduced back
in 1876.

other installations on display. The tour starts with

a visit to the popular Clydesdale stables, ideal for
horse lovers. For more than 75 years, the iconic
Budweiser Clydesdale horses have symbolised
tradition and strength, and have been spotted in
various parades and festivals around the United
States. The tour guides are very learned and
enthusiastic, so do not hesitate to ask questions;
rather than fumbling for answers, theyll surprise
you with off-script knowledge in great detail.
After spending around 10 minutes at the stables,
the group proceeds to the hop yard. Hops are
a plant species used as a flavouring agent to
lend bitterness to malts and are used extensively
in making beer. During beer fermentation, hops
are added to the wort that is extracted from
the mashing process. Next, in the mashing
and boiling section, there are towering rows of
stainless steel mash tanks in which water and
grains are mixed. Beech wood chips are then
used to age and carbonate the beer; this lends
beer its natural clarity and smooth taste. After
the fermentation stage, the bottling, canning and
packing process is viewed from the top; freshly
filled beer bottles lined up on miles and miles of
conveyor belts is a sight to behold!
As the guide concludes the tour, you wonder
whats in store next. Of course, the best is saved
for the last, in the Hospitality Room, where you
can sample any two beers if you are over 21

Sneha Bhat

Christopher Halloran | Dreamstime.com

Above: The Budweiser

Clydesdales were first
introduced to the masses on
April 7, 1933, to celebrate
the repeal of Prohibition,
and have since represented
the brand.

years of age. Served in tall Budweiser glasses,

each large portion is accompanied by pretzels
and other snacks. You can select your sample
from any of the in-house beers available at
the bar. Sometimes, if youre lucky, you could
sample a brand new beer that is not yet out on
the market. Soft drinks are also offered to nonbeer drinkers.
Walk through the majestic brewery and discover
the brewing process that has remained unchanged
since over 100 years. Like the characters in Willy
Wonkas Chocolate Factory, know what you drink
and how it is made!
In the mid 1800s, catering to the
Americans preference for robust, dark
ales and lighter Bavarian style lagers,
Adolphus-Busch brewed a Bohemian
lager, soon to be known as the worldfavourite Budweiser Lager.
If you thought the Prohibition had
spelled doom for Budweiser, think
again. Anheuser-Busch brewed a
non-alcoholic cereal beverage called
Bevo. The Bevo building today stands
as a bottling facility in St. Louis,
Missouri.
If you are a sentimental person or just
like to bring home mementos, have
a look at the brand merchandise,
beer glasses and mugs, magnets, key
chains, apparel and malt beverages
available at the gift shop in the
main building.

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