Interesting history here. Mr. Anheuser was a candle and soap salesman that came from Germany by way of Cincinnati. He had no experience with beer, but bought an operating brewery from a guy that was going through some hard times. There were about 50 breweries just in St. Louis, and most of the product was consumed locally. Rankings were important, and Budweiser was ranked about 29th of the 50 (the brewery guide said that they just made up the name - it sounded German, but was easy to pronounce). They added rice to the process, and within a couple of weeks, Bud became the top ranked beer in St. Louis.
Augustus Busch worked for a company that supplied the Bud plant. He met Mr. Anheuser and then married his daughter.
One thing I liked about St. Louis, is that they have some really cool brick buildings. Buildings that you couldn't afford to make today. And the brewery has a bunch of them.
This is inside the original Clydesdale stables. These horses are probably the best cared-for animals in the world.
The original brew-house. The tour guide said that this is the 2nd most photographed landmark in St. Louis, behind only the Gateway Arch.
Had my two free beers at the end of the tour, then headed on up to Indy.
