Anheuser-Busch: Anheuser-Busch (A-B) was one of the first beer brands in the United States with nationwide distribution. Founded in 1857, A-B initially operated as a neighborhood brewery, selling lager beer to St. Louis's German residents. The company quickly evolved under Adolphus Busch's leadership.
By pioneering the use of new technologies created during the industrial revolution like pasteurization, artificial refrigeration, and refrigerated rail cars, A-B developed markets from coast to coast. A-B was one of the first American breweries to produce more than 1 million barrels annually and by the early 20th century its beers had been awarded gold medals at multiple World's Fairs. Today, A-B is a leading American manufacturer and the nation’s top brewer, driving economic prosperity in Missouri and nationwide through investments in their people, facilities, and communities, starting with its flagship St. Louis Brewery. In 2025 alone, A-B invested over $300 million to create and sustain U.S. manufacturing jobs, including a $15 million investment in St. Louis and the expansion of its best-in-class Technical Excellence Center to up-skill its workforce and grow and develop the talent pipeline for manufacturing careers across the country.