Beer & Spirits

Anheuser-Busch Looks Beyond Beer to Secure Its Future

The brewer reveals its approach to product innovation

a can of budlight, vodka soda, rose wine and agave spiked seltzer — Anheuser-Busch put out 111 new products last year, up from 22 in 2016.Bud Light, Cacti, Cutwater, Babe

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Budweiser and Bud Light have sold so well for so long that Anheuser-Busch has had little reason to veer from beer.

But while business was good, it could always be better.

“In 2017, we were the industry leaders, but we were not driving growth,” said Jake Kirsch, vp of innovation at Anheuser-Busch, who’s been in his current role for three years and with the company for a decade. “We were missing opportunities.”

Then came the summer of White Claw in 2019.