So, remember when I told you I’m not a big beer drinker? Well, I guess I look pretty stupid now, this being my second beer-related post since uttering those immortal words.
But seriously, I’m not really a big beer drinker – I promise.
I am, however, a budget-savvy backpacker who will never turn down the chance to participate in sampling local history, particularly when that local history happens to be free. This is where the Anheuser-Busch Brewery come in.
If you’ve read my blog for a long time, you’ll know I’ve been to St. Louis twice before (it’s no coincidence that my boyfriend is from there), yet on neither of those occasions did I manage to visit the brewery. Knowing that I was going to be in the city for several weeks this time around, I wanted to make sure that I finally made it to the original home of Budweiser, especially when I found out that it was totally free.
Part of the allure of the free tour is the fact that you get to see the Clydesdale horses which are synonymous with the Budweiser brand and are used for promotional events and advertisements across the US.
The original Budwesier Clydesdale horses were originally purchased to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933, but these days they don’t have to transport any beer, just pose for flattering photographs like this one…..*ahem*
Not just that, but you are also given two free beers at the end of the tour.
Yes, you heard right: Two. Free. Beers.
Free.
It’s got to be worth it just for that, guys.
The great thing is that even if you’re not a huge beer drinker like me (I’m not, I swear….) then the Anhueser Busch company actually owns lots of other brands these days, selling everything from margaritas to flavoured pale ales and ciders. At the end of the tour, when you’re allowed to sample your two free drinks in the hospitality suite, they usually have a range of drinks on offer to try.
I did try the Bud Light, simply because I was curious to see what a “light” beer tasted like (I guess my no-beer-drinking argument is waning here, right?) and although it was nice and light, I probably wouldn’t drink it regularly. In my opinion, if you’re going to drink beer, you may as well go the whole hog and drink full fat.
I also tried the Shock Top Belgian beer (ok, ok, I guess I drink beer now….dammit) which was nicer than the Bud Light, especially when mixed with a little lemonade to make it a shandy.
I actually wish I’d tried one of the margaritas on offer, but as I’d used up my two free drink allocation, I guess I’ll have to go again and try it another time.
For pure value, this tour is one of the best I’ve done. I’ve been to several breweries and factories and always had to pay to get in, so the fact that this was free and gave you samples of the product at the end just made it that much better.
I’m from Missouri. I have lived here most of my life so when you said you would “try” a Bud Light, well, it totally threw me for a loop. In my mind everyone has drank Bud Light. Bud Light is a staple. Then I remembered, there are other light beers and I’m sure other staples in other parts of America. I am however ashamed to say that as many times as I have been to St Louis, I have never been to the brewery. Now I know, I have to go.