This Bud’s
for you,
Jacksonville...
BY KELLY HOULD
The name Budweiser is synonymous with beer, but not necessarily
with Jacksonville.
Think of Budweiser and you may think of St. Louis, the home of
Anheuser-Busch since 1852. However, if you drink a Bud anywhere
between Miami and New Orleans, chances are it came through the
Budweiser Brewery in Jacksonville.
Tucked into Jacksonville’s largely rural and industrial Northside,
the large Budweiser facility isn’t even on the radar for many natives.
Nevertheless, the Budweiser Brewery has been situated in Jacksonville
on 205 acres since 1969.
From Main Street, the large industrial building emblazoned with the
familiar Bud logo doesn’t necessarily scream “fun outing destination.”
But don’t let the uninviting exterior fool you. As soon as you pull into
the parking lot, you’re greeted by signs that welcome you to the facility.
“Making friends is our business,” the signs declare boldly.
Well, perhaps not so boldly.
When you offer free tours and adult beverages, making friends becomes pretty darn easy.
Monday through Saturday, Budweiser offers complimentary tours
from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Although Jacksonville and the First Coast have a
ton of incredible outdoor activities to offer visitors and residents, sometimes we’re left at a loss when the weather is poor — whether it be too
hot or too rainy for the beach or outdoor shopping. The tour, which is
completely indoors, is a good bet if you’re trying to plan a date or outing and you know the weather isn’t going to cooperate.
On the tour, you’ll learn how Budweiser is crafted through the steps
of its brewing process.Visitors of all ages are welcome to observe the
art of brewing and the state-of-the-art technology utilized by Budweiser.
You’ll also learn about the innovative environmental initiatives and
practices that Anheuser-Busch has implemented through recycling,
energy recovery and other environmentally-friendly offsets.
Guests (over the age of 21, naturally) are offered a sample of their
favorite brews in the Hospitality Room. Chances are they have a few
available that you’ve never heard of — or at least never tasted.
The tour lasts about 45 minutes (including sampling time) and can
accommodate 40 people at time. Tours depart every 45 minutes. Cameras are always welcome.
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