USA: Anheuser-Busch to spend USD 85 million on Cartersville brewery extension

Anheuser-Busch will invest USD 85 million to expand operations at its facility in Cartersville, Georgia, TheGeorgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced today.

“We are deeply committed to the Cartersville community, which is why we are excited to announce our USD 85 million plan for expansion,” said Kevin Fahrenkrog, senior general manager of the Anheuser-Busch Cartersville Brewery. “The U.S. beer industry is back to growth and over the next three years, we will expand the brewery’s capabilities to brew some of our best-selling brands right here in Georgia. Our investment in the Cartersville brewery will create 12 good-paying jobs and reaffirms our strong belief in supporting local manufacturing.”

Anheuser-Busch’s Cartersville location is one of 23 breweries across the country. It opened in 1993 and brews more than 20 of the company’s brands. It was Anheuser-Busch’s first brewery to be certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to brew and package Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold.

The announcement comes at a time when AB InBev’s closest rival in the U.S. market Molson Coors  announced to close or sell its brewery in Irwindale, California (inside.beer, 6.1.2020).

Although official figures of U.S. beer sales for 2019 are not released yet, it seems clear that overall sales have slipped again. Sales of domestic beer decreased between October 2018 and October 2019 by 4.6%, according to Nielsen. Biggest losers are the national lager beer brands, but also sales of craft beers are going down. Winners are the alternative drink categories liked spiked seltzers, canned wines, pre-made cocktails and premium liquor, which grow partly at double-digit figures.

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