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
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