by Shawn Connelly

Created on: June 21, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

There's nothing more American than a German beer! This might seem contradictory at first but the Busch family would argue that it is precisely accurate. When Adolphus Busch arrived in St. Louis in 1857 from Mainz, Germany, he likely didn't dream he would become the co-founder of the largest and most successful brewery in American history. Since Budweiser's introduction to a thirsty public in 1876, the brewery that would come to be known as Anheuser-Busch has dominated the American beer industry and established itself as a household name behind its flagship "King of Beers." Budweiser - a crisp, refreshing lager beer has become a staple for many Americans and thanks to years of robust marketing, the company has established its brand as thoroughly American. Budweiser is a beer that is enjoyed by Americans at everything from baseball games to wedding receptions. Visit St. Louis, where Busch's dream was born, and you'll come to understand that Anheuser-Busch has become more than just a brewery for many; it has become a tradition and a symbol of the American dream come true.

Though it has been nearly 100 years since Adolphus Busch passed away, his dream has continued to flourish. Guided by Busch's posterity, the company has survived a myriad of challenges ranging from Prohibition, during which the company produced several non-beer products in order to remain viable, to competition from rival breweries. Through it all, Anheuser-Busch has shown a remarkable resilience and ability to adapt as the market and the taste buds of the American public change with time. The latest threat to Busch's legacy, however, may prove to be one no amount of resiliency can overcome. The Belgium-based mega-brewer, InBev, has made a $52 billion dollar offer to purchase Anheuser-Busch and all indications are that the deal is likely to come to fruition. If InBev purchases Anheuser-Busch; a St. Louis tradition -indeed an American tradition - will come to an end. The Busch family will no longer run the company St. Louisans have come to simply refer to as "the Brewery." More than that, though, America will have lost one of its greatest exemplars of success and an icon of American industry.

This fact may strike a chord with some on a sentimental level, but it does little to address the practical implications of the deal. What would a Belgian-owned Anheuser-Busch mean for St. Louis? For our country? For our beer? Just how important is it that our beer be "American brewed?" First, its critical to

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