Anheuser-Busch Makes Beer, Seltzers, and Machines

I recently visited the Anheuser-Busch headquarters in St. Louis for a plant tour, a visit with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, a tutorial on the brewing process, and, of course, some taste testing of the many varieties of beer made on site. I was also able to sit down with Ken VonderHaar, the global director of the Can Division at Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), to discuss some of the innovations happening within his group. And, not surprisingly, the primary focus these days is on flexibility around the different types of packaging—especially with the addition of seltzers and variety packs in the product portfolio. Cans (vs. bottles) is the biggest area of growth moving forward, due in large part to the pandemic and people taking 30 packs of beer home instead of going out to the bars and restaurants. That trend seems to continue. And just as consumers are bringing activities “in-house,” there’s also a trend in manufacturing to do the same.