Budweiser, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, is giving beer lovers the chance to experience and taste history with the release of its limited-edition 1933 Repeal Reserve Amber Lager. The recipe behind Repeal Reserve dates back to the pre-Prohibition era when Adolphus Busch created and brewed a special Amber Lager for his friends and local community to enjoy, the company says. Due to the onset of Prohibition in 1920, the beer didn't have a chance to be distributed widely outside the St. Louis area — until now. Beginning immediately, Budweiser is releasing this historically inspired recipe nationwide to celebrate the Repeal of Prohibition.
The Prohibition era marks a defining moment for the Great American Lager, as the brand, and the country, faced 13 years without a drop of beer. Budweiser's limited-edition 1933 Repeal Reserve is brewed to recognize and raise a cold one to America's determination through Prohibition, the company says.
"We are excited to mark the upcoming holiday season and the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition with this new brew based on a forgotten recipe," said Ricardo Marques, vice president of Budweiser, in a statement. "While Budweiser Repeal Reserve is a great tasting Amber Lager, it also tells the story of an important part of our history and gives reason for celebration."
The amber lager consists of a light, hoppy aroma and a rich caramel-malt taste. As a nod to the pre-Prohibition era, Repeal Reserve boasts a higher alcohol-by-volume than original Budweiser — 6.1 vs. 5 percent. Inspired by the earlier style of beers, the new Repeal Reserve comes packaged in a vintage Budweiser stubby bottle.
As part of the launch, the brand is bringing the Prohibition era to life by unveiling a fleet of antique cars in partnership with Lyft, Budweiser's preferred safe rides partner, it says. On Wednesday, Oct. 25, legal-drinking age New Yorkers will have a chance to score the Bud Vintage Mode for a ride in an authentic, vintage car to experience the 1930s firsthand, between 3 and 7 p.m. ET, by visiting www.lyft.com/BudVintageMode. During the special ride, passengers will cruise through the famous streets of New York, passing landmarks and neighborhoods that were integral to Prohibition, while learning about the newly released beer, it adds.
"When Budweiser told us they wanted to offer a fleet of vintage cars to launch Repeal Reserve, we knew Lyft was the perfect option to celebrate the new recipe in a stylish and unexpected way," said Melissa Waters, vice president of marketing for Lyft, in a statement. "We encourage everyone to make the right choice to drink responsibly and keep our roads safe, and that's why we continue to team up with Budweiser, a brand that shares the same commitment."
From New York and beyond, fans can experience a taste of history with Budweiser as part of Repeal Reserve's full marketing campaign, including new TV commercials, digital content and Clydesdales appearances, the company says. Budweiser also is partnering with Drizly to deliver a taste of history to beer drinkers across the country with a special code for $5 off their first purchase of 1933 Repeal Reserve, using the code Prohibition, it adds.
