Business Wars Anheuser-Busch vs Miller - Swinging for the Majors | 2
Jun 3, 2019
In 1933, the end of Prohibition sparked fierce competition in the beer industry. Anheuser-Busch, led by Gussie Busch, aimed to reclaim its throne, but Schlitz was a formidable contender. Meanwhile, Miller Brewing sought to break into the big leagues, innovating with canned beer. The fight intensified through economic challenges and war, as marketing strategies evolved. By the 1960s, internal shifts at Miller reshaped its approach, making the battle for brewing supremacy more thrilling than ever.
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End of Prohibition
- On April 6, 1933, crowds celebrated outside Anheuser-Busch as the first post-Prohibition beers shipped.
- This marked the end of 13 years of Prohibition and a changed beer market.
Post-Prohibition Market
- The post-Prohibition beer market was drastically different, with fewer breweries and changing consumer preferences.
- The rise of cars, electricity, and refrigerators promised a boom in the take-home market.
Miller's Canning Gamble
- In 1936, Miller Brewing invested heavily in canning technology, seeing it as key to national expansion.
- Cans were cheaper, less fragile, and ideal for shipping Miller High Life nationwide.