United States: Anheuser-Busch launches a new wheat beer in upper Midwest

As from the beginning of May, upper Midwest beer lovers can enjoy a new beer from the Michelob Golden Family - Michelob Golden Honey Wheat, Anheuser-Busch announced on May, 20.

Michelob Golden Honey Wheat is brewed with wheat and barley malts and U.S. and European hop varieties. The beer has a golden color and natural cloudiness, a trademark of wheat-style beers. Brewmasters selected orange blossom honey from Florida and California groves because of its slight sweetness and pronounced citrus flavors.

Wheat beer sales continue to grow in the U.S. as adults discover the refreshment and variety of flavors found in the beer style. Sales of wheat beers were up 14.4 percent in 2008 and distribution of wheat beer brands across the U.S. has increased 157 percent since 2004, according to IRI InfoScan.

As a draught-only beer, Michelob Golden Honey Wheat is available in bars and restaurants in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, northern Illinois, eastern Nebraska and western Michigan. Michelob Golden Honey Wheat contains 4.4 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer.

The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Belgium-based leading global brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.

27 May, 2009