E-Malt.com News article: USA: Bud Light, America’s fastest growing Light Beer, debuts new aluminum bottle

The largest US beer maker, Anheuser-Busch, announced on June 7 it is bringing adult beer drinkers a cool new way to enjoy America’s beverage of moderation with the national introduction of the Bud Light aluminum bottle.

Featuring the familiar Bud Light logo in distinct white lettering against a sleek, cobalt high-gloss finish that is cool to the touch and a pry-off cap, the bottle not only makes a striking visual impression, but also helps keep great-tasting Bud Light super cold.

The versatile new packaging is ideal for contemporary adults searching for a stylish looking beverage when out at the club or bar, but is also practical for those attending outdoor drinking occasions where non-breakable containers are important.

“We constantly look for ways to improve our beers – and our packaging – to make sure they remain the consumers’ No. 1 choice,” said Dan McHugh, senior director, Bud Light Marketing, Anheuser-Busch Inc. “This Bud Light aluminum bottle is a major image enhancer and the type of look contemporary adults want when out enjoying a beer with friends.”

Initially available in the northeast and in coastal markets, the popularity and demand for the aluminum bottle in these areas led to the national rollout. Manufactured by Exal USA, based in Youngstown, Ohio, the 16-ounce Bud Light aluminum bottle will be available in bars, clubs, supermarkets, and convenience stores today.

“The Bud Light aluminum bottles are receiving a lot of buzz across the country, and this is a great way to bring something fun and fresh into the market in time for the summer season when people are out and about,” said McHugh.

Bud Light joins Budweiser, Michelob, Michelob Light, and Anheuser World Lager as brands that feature this new look.

With 21 years of continuous growth, Bud Light is America’s favorite and fastest growing light beer. In fact, Bud Light continues to grow off a significant volume base that is larger than its two nearest competitors and is up 1.2 share points YTD (IRI data, supermarkets and convenience stores combined, through May 15).

Bud Light continues to find ways to enhance its packaging to stay current with the style of contemporary adults, such as the recent update of the Bud Light 12-ounce glass bottles featuring an applied plastic label (APL) to reinforce the brand’s active, fun and modern-day image. However, beer drinkers can rest assured that their favorite beer is still brewed using the same high-quality ingredients and brewing process that has made Bud Light the world’s best-selling light beer.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch Inc. is the leading American brewer holding 50 percent of the U.S. beer market. The company is American-owned and brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also holds a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. Anheuser-Busch ranked first in the U.S. beverage industry in FORTUNE magazine’s 2005 “America’s Most Admired Companies” and in the top 30 on FORTUNE’s 2005 “Global Most Admired Companies” list. The company is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is the world’s largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers.


11 June, 2005