Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale latest brew from Anheuser-Busch

FYI - Wonder how this one tastes...Cheers! - ~Brian Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale latest brew from Anheuser-Busch BY GREGORY CANCELADA St. Louis Post-Dispatch Anheuser-Busch Cos. is launching a series of seasonal beers available on tap, to reinforce the brewer's already strong presence in bars and taverns. To kick off this draught program, the nation's largest brewer this week rolls out a pumpkin-flavored beer, Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale, for the fall. Anheuser-Busch has quickened the pace of new products this year as it seeks to drive up sales in a sluggish beer market. Although the company faces increased competition from Miller Brewing Co., it sees a bigger threat coming from distilled spirits. Spirits have been growing in popularity among younger adult drinkers who are looking for the wide variety of colors and flavors typically found in mixed drinks. Under development for the past year, the new program will offer different beers to match each of the four seasons, said John Costello, product manager, Michelob Specialty Brands at Anheuser-Busch's domestic brewing subsidiary. Using pumpkin for the fall beer seemed a natural choice, he said. "I like to describe Jack's as a wicked blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove and real delicious pumpkins." Anheuser-Busch contends today's beer drinkers are adventurous enough to try the brew. "This is just another way for us to offer our core consumers the flavor and variety they seek," Costello said. When drinking the beer, consumers get a balanced taste of spices and slight sweetness of the malt and pumpkin, said Florian Kuplent, a brewmaster at the domestic brewing unit. "It's a well-rounded beer that goes with food very well," Kuplent said. "You could serve it with turkey and as a dessert beer." Anheuser-Busch originally planned to have the pumpkin-flavored drink available only on draught. But the brewmasters convinced the marketing department that the beer should be part of the Michelob Special Sampler Collection, a seasonal package of bottled specialty beers that Anheuser-Busch has offered every fall since 1997, Costello said. The 12-bottle and 18-bottle sampler collection also includes Michelob, Michelob Marzen, Michelob Pale Ale, Michelob Honey Lager and Michelob AmberBock. Although this fall's offering is being bottled, upcoming seasonal beers will be available only on tap. Anheuser-Busch's brewmasters are developing a winter brew now, which should be ready in December. --- Brian Hatcher Sr. Master Scheduler C.P.I.M. Email: brian_hatcher(a)Xiotech.com Office: 952 983 2466 Fax: 952 983 2488 Xiotech Corporation 6455 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 www.xiotech.com : www.xiotech.com/demo : Toll-Free 866 472 6764