AHB Anheuser-Busch

    Anheuser-Busch and Czech Brewer Budejovicky Budvar Form Historic 
                           Alliance in U.S. Market 
 
      Czechvar Beer to Gain Access to Anheuser-Busch's Marketing, Sales 
                       Resources and Wholesaler Network 
 
    ST. LOUIS and CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic, Jan. 8 -- After nearly a 
century of disagreements in certain parts of the world over rights to the 
Budweiser name for their beers, Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) and Czech brewer 
Budejovicky Budvar (BBNP) have formed a historic alliance in which Anheuser-
Busch will become the U.S. importer of Czechvar Premium Czech Lager, the two 
brewers jointly announced today. 
    The agreement gives Czechvar, currently sold in 30 states, access to 
Anheuser-Busch's marketing and sales expertise and wide-reaching U.S. 
distribution network. It gives Anheuser-Busch another European import as part 
of an aggressive push into high-end beer categories that has led to alliances 
with Grolsch, Tiger, Kirin and most recently InBev, which added Stella Artois, 
Beck's, Bass Pale Ale and other beers to its import portfolio.  
    The agreement does not impact existing litigation or trademark disputes 
between the two brewers in other countries, and they have agreed the 
partnership cannot be used to support either side in any trademark cases. 
    "After years of differences, this is a meaningful step for two great 
brewers to form a relationship that is good for both of our businesses," said 
August A. Busch IV, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch 
Companies, Inc. "For Anheuser-Busch, it also represents an opportunity to 
enhance our import portfolio with a super-premium Czech import. Working with 
our family of wholesalers, we look forward to introducing Czechvar to a new 
audience of beer lovers." 
    The imported Czechvar beer will continue to be brewed at the BBNP brewery 
in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. 
    "Our business agreement will particularly please all connoisseurs of 
imported beers in the USA. Experience of many brewers' generations, who have 
brewed beer in our town for more than 700 years, lies behind our premium 
lager," said BBNP's CEO, Jiri Bocek.  
    "At the same time, the agreement represents a historical turning point 
between our companies. We have managed to move away from discussions between 
lawyers and towards a practical dialogue, which is going to be beneficial to 
both sides. Our corporation has therefore gained the best importer in the 
USA," added Bocek. 
    Czechvar is a super-premium light lager. A 90-day maturing period and use 
of only top-quality ingredients, including Saaz hops, assorted Moravian malt 
barley and pure spring water gives this beer its characteristics. Czechvar 
features a thick head, distinctly golden color and full aroma.  
    The brand is available in individual 330 milliliter bottles, in six- and 
12-packs of 330 milliliter bottles, in a 500 milliliter bottle and on draught.  
    The agreement will broaden Czechvar's U.S. distribution by giving the 
Czech brewer access to the Anheuser-Busch network of nearly 600 independent 
wholesalers. The European import is an important addition for Anheuser-Busch 
wholesalers as imported beer is one of the fastest-growing segments of the 
U.S. beer industry. The U.S. import segment grew 7 percent in 2005 and  
10 percent through the third quarter in 2006.  
    The agreement was effective Jan. 5. Terms were not disclosed.  
    BBNP brewery, based in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, has long been one 
of the most successful Czech companies in the food and drink industry. Thanks 
to its gradual and goal-oriented expansion into foreign markets and the 
strengthening of sales on the domestic market, BBNP managed to achieve a 
significant position in the beer market both in the Czech Republic and abroad. 
Based on the volume of exported beer, the original Czech premium lager brewed 
by BBNP is one of the best-selling Czech beers abroad. This beer has earned 
numerous medals and diplomas from domestic and foreign quality competitions. 
Today BBNP exports nearly half of its output to more than 50 countries on five  
continents. For more information, visit http://www.czechvar.com . 
    Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding 
a 48.8 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, and a 27 percent 
share in China brewer Tsingtao. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage 
companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists 
in 2006. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the 
United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's 
largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit 
http://www.anheuser-busch.com . 
 
SOURCE  Anheuser-Busch 
    -0-                             01/08/2007 
    /CONTACT:  Kelli Powers of Anheuser-Busch, +1-314-577-9618,  
kelli.powers@anheuser-busch.com , or Petr Samec of Budejovicky Budvar,  
++420 606 757 997, petr.samec@budvar.cz / 
    /Web site:  http://www.anheuser-busch.com  
                http://www.czechvar.com / 
    (BUD) 




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