Boycott Anheuser-Busch

For the third legislative session in a row, thirsty residents in Alabama have been trying to do away with the state's 6% alcohol limit, which excludes about 1/3 of the world's beer.

Barleywine? Uh uh.

Double IPA? No way.

Chimay? Fuggetaboutit.

It's not all that much of a suprise when old laws linger, but to find a major brewer like Anheuser-Busch in the background, playing their chips and using their muscle to keep the law in place to protect their market share is reprehensible. Anheuser-Busch certainly doesn't care about consumer choice or supporting the industry.

Anheuser-Busch likes to tout their supposed passive coexistence, but really they're no better than they were in the mid-'90s when their "100%-share-of-mind" campaign sought to clear liquor store shelves of craft beer:

The action goes on to quote an address by August Busch III at the 1995 NBWA convention, in which he stressed the need to focus on flagship brands, and continues: "In March 1996, August Busch III announced that he decided that A-B distributors should not distribute craft beers any longer, and that A-B distributors should give '100% share-of-mind' to the Budweiser family of products. In fact, A-B launched a 'share of mind' campaign headed by a 'share of mind' team... The purpose of this nationwide effort was to eliminate as many non-exclusive distributors as possible, and thereby deprive the plaintiff and the members of the class a material part, if not all, of their distribution network.

What can you do?

Help out by calling/emailing A-B's corporate offices to express your opinion about Birmingham Budweiser's efforts to thwart consumer choice in Alabama.
1-800-DRINK-BUD
https://contactus.anheuser-busch.com/contactus/email.asp

You can also call and email Birmingham Budweiser (keep trying if it's busy!)
205-945-4893
customerservice@bhambud.com.

Lastly, support the thirsty beer lovers in Alabama. Check out Free The Hops.org.

Spread the word!