The Beer Industry

The Beer Industry

May 16, 2013

Industry Origins

1650

Brewing begins in America by Dutch immigrants in New York. They found that the climate was conducive to growing the two main ingredients in beer malt and hops. At that time production of beer was limited to wooden kegs which were difficult to transport and keep cold.

1864

Anheuser-Busch brewing company is formed in St. Louis, Missouri.

1870’s

Anheuser-Busch introduced pasteurization to the brewing process. This greatly expanded the industry as a whole by allowing for a longer shelf-life which in turn helped with the transportation of the beer because it would not spoil. By 1879 they were the first to produce 1 million barrels in a year which were distributed by his new railcar with double walls and a network of icehouses to make Budweiser the first national brand of beer.

Jan. 16, 1919

With beer sales soaring total industry output reached 27.7 million barrels. Then the 18th amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America is ratified prohibiting the sale, manufacturing, and transportation of any alcoholic drink in the U.S. This was caused by the temperance movement in America at that time, this killed the beer industry. Companies at that time had to make a decision either stay in the beverage industry or sell. Some large companies began to sell a drink that under one-half of one percent of alcohol. Anheuser-Busch called this beer Budweiser. During this time Anheuser-Busch was able to invest in itself by purchasing trucks to deliver. They also made investments in can and bottling equipment, this gave them the means to produce root beer, ginger ale, and other soft drinks1.

December 1933

Congress officially ratifies the 21 Amendment to end prohibition. Anheuser-Busch and Pabst doubled their annual production by 1935. The large breweries were able to take advantage of the market and with the investments they made during prohibition allowing for faster transportation and...