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Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis

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You can't talk about beer in St. Louis without bringing up one of its largest companies, Anheuser-Busch. The world-famous brewery has been a part of the city's landscape since 1852. The best way to learn about Anheuser-Busch and its beer-making process is by taking a free tour of the A-B Brewery in Soulard, just south of Downtown St. Louis . For the tours, go to the entrance at 12th and Lynch streets.

Visiting Tips

• This is a walking tour so make sure to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Part of the tour goes outside, so dress for the weather as well.
• Children are welcome on the tour, but the brewery is not easily stroller accessible. Children will likely have to walk or be carried during parts of the tour.
• Fridays and weekends are the busiest times for tours. For smaller crowds, plan to visit on a weekday.
• Registration is not required to take a tour unless you are bringing a large group of 15 or more.
• The tour lasts for a little more than an hour. It ends with free beer samples and soda for those younger than 21.

What You'll See

There are three main things you'll see on a tour. First is the Budweiser Clydesdales and their stable. The Clydesdales have been the face of the brand since the 1930s. They make hundreds of appearances every year.

Then, it's a walk through the brewing and bottling areas to see where Budweiser, Bud Light, and other brands are made. This portion of the tour includes stops in the historic Brew House, the fermentation cellar, and the packaging plant. This is where you'll learn about the history of the company and how it grew into the brewing giant that it is today.

Finally, it's a trip to the tasting room for two free samples of A-B products. Soda and snacks are also available. After the tour, you can stop by the gift shop for souvenirs or hit the Biergarten for more food and drinks.

As you might expect, Anheuser-Busch does things in a big way even with its tours. Groups can be quite large, and tours move pretty quickly. There won't be time to stop and chat with the brewmaster about the quality of the hops. If you're looking for a smaller, more personalized brewery tour, try Schlafly Bottleworks, an independent craft beer maker in St. Louis.

If you don't mind spending a little money, you can sign up for Beer School before you take a tour. The half-hour class includes tastings, pouring demonstrations, souvenirs, and information about the brewing process. Another option is the Brewmaster Tour, which offers a more in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at brewery operations.

Parking and Transportation

The A-B Brewery is easy to get to by car, just off Interstate 55 south of Downtown St. Louis. There is no Metrolink stop nearby, so taking the train is not a good option. MetroBuses do run to Soulard, but with plenty of free parking, the best option for many is to drive.

Other Soulard Attractions

Soulard is a historic neighborhood that hosts a popular Mardi Gras celebration in February and an Oktoberfest party in October. The Soulard Farmers Market also draws crowds year-round, so there's plenty to see and do after your brewery tour if you're visiting at those times.

Popular Soulard Restaurants

If you're hungry before or after your tour, Soulard has some great restaurants that are worth a try. Barbecue lovers should stop in at Bogarts Smokehouse for its fantastic brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. McGurk's Irish Pub has been a popular destination for decades with its upscale pub grub, cold Guinness, and authentic Irish music. Another good bet is Molly's where you'll find drink specials, a wide variety of bistro fare, and live music.

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Clydesdales

Stay up-to-date with the World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales and learn more about Warm Springs Ranch: the official breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales.

St. louis stables

The official home of the World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales is an ornate brick and stained-glass stable built in 1885 on our historic 100-acre brewery complex. At Anheuser-Busch, we value our storied history. And with a legacy that transcends beer, we especially take pride in our Budweiser Clydesdales. Now, you can get up-close and person with one of our Gentle Giants when you join us for a Clydesdale VIP Experience.

Warm Springs Ranch

Warm Springs Ranch is the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Resting on 300-plus acres of rolling hills in the heart of Missouri, our state-of-the-art establishment will take your breath away.

Built in 2008, the property features a mare/stallion and foaling barn, veterinary lab, and 10 pastures: each with a customized walk-in shelter. Warm Springs Ranch is home to more than 70 Clydesdales ranging from foals to stallions.

Book a tour to see the Budweiser Clydesdales up close and personal!

From the Prohibition era to Super Bowl commercials, there is perhaps nothing more iconic in Budweiser’s storied history than its team of Clydesdale horses. More than just a mascot, the Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch for more than 80 years.

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There is no other brewery experience in the world quite like an Anheuser-Busch brewery tour. Our St. Louis brewery is filled with rich traditions, providing unique perspectives on our history and the making of some of America's most beloved brands.

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5 Ways to Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery (Yes, you can bring the kids)

How can you combine your love of St. Louis, beer and your kids? Why take them on a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, of course! Yes, a tour of our beloved King of Beers is totally family friendly! Seriously! What better way to teach kids about city history than to tour one of our oldest companies?

To find out how things have changed, I went right to the source and took a tour at Anheuser-Busch. I peppered my guide with questions about the various tours and here’s what I found out! 

The  Complimentary Tour has been shorten and no longer visits the bottling line, but you’ll still see the Clydesdale stable, the beechwood aging tanks and the Brew House. Adults get a beer sample at the Brew House and the end of the tour in the Biergarten. It’s about 45 minutes. 

The Day Fresh Brewery Tour is basically the old free tour and still visits the bottling line along with everything in the Complimentary Tour. It now costs $10, but you’ll get a third beer in a bottle you can take home. The bottle is right off the line. (Minors are only $4 and under 2 are free.)  This tour is about 75 minutes long.

The  Historic Schoolhouse Museum Tour visits the three historic buildings on campus and is limited to a much smaller group so you can really chat with your guide. It costs $25 for adults, $10 for minors and under 2 are free. Adults will get three samples on the tour: at the Brew House, the Museum and at the Biergarten. You’ll also get to keep your sampling glass from the museum.

The Beermaster Tour is a behind the scene adventure and you’ll get to taste beers right from the tanks, just like the A-B Brewmasters. It’s $35 and you’ll get to keep a glass AND a hat. Minors are $15 and under 2 are free. This tour is about 2 hours long, visits everything on the Day Fresh Tour plus a whole lot more–the Primary Fermentation Cellar, Lager Cellar and the Finishing Cellar. You’ll also need to RSVP for this tour.

The Beer School  is a class offered just to adults over 21. It’s $15.  It runs about 45 minutes and introduces you to a variety of beer styles, ingredients, proper pouring techniques and food-pairing suggestions. You’ll also take home “gifts for the beer connoisseur.”

The Historic Schoolhouse Museum Tour

Since I’ve done the old complementary tour many times in the past, I decided to check out the new museum. This tour really delves deep into the history of Anheuser-Busch and the Busch family. You’ll visit all three buildings owned by A-B that are on the Registry of National Historic Landmarks: the Clydesdale Stable, the Brew House and the Old Schoolhouse. They were built between 1868 and 1892 and were placed on the registry back in 1967.

If you’ve toured the brewery before, you’ve seen the stable and the brew house…but never the inside of the school. Lyon School, as it was called, was once a part of the St. Louis Public School District, and was sold to the brewery in 1907. It served as the brewery’s main administrative building, and each president of Anheuser-Busch had an office there until 1982 when the office building at One Busch Place was finished. 

You can learn a lot on this tour. Even though I’ve seen the Clydesdale Stable before, I learn even more about it on this trip. And if you know me at all, you know the horses are my favorite part of the tour. For example, I learned that the horse names over the stalls are from the very first Budweiser Clydesdales hitch!

$25 might seem a little steep for a brewery tour, even if they are giving you an extra beer. However, if you like history it’s worth it. Our guides really new everything about Anheuser-Busch and the small tour size was really nice. It was like a personal tour of the brewery! We had time to really look at everything, ask tons of questions and take plenty of photos. Unlike the free tour I’ve taken in the past, our guides never turned on a film–every fact was known by heart.

Now I’ll admit, I went on this tour while the kids were at school–I took a friend with me that day. We had a blast! After our three samples we decided to play it safe and stick around the Biergarten for lunch. 

If you time your visit right, you can also get a free photo with a Clydesdale! Every day between 3:30 and 4:30 pm they bring a horse to the Biergarten. Visitors can snap a photo with him using their own camera.  

More information about the new Old Schoolhouse Museum and historical tour can be found here: Introducing the Old Schoolhouse Museum and Historical Experience .

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The Best Places To See The Budweiser Clydesdales

If you’re looking for the best places to see the Budweiser Clydesdales, their “home” is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t see them traveling around the country for events or parades, or at one of the other Budweiser facilities in the U.S. But, the iconic Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis is one of the best places to see the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The horses first entered into American culture at the end of Prohibition and have been admired by visitors at the brewery’s stables ever since.

Travelers coming to St. Louis can enjoy a free tour of the brewery (and free beer) every day of the week by stopping into the Anheuser-Busch Visitors Center. (Update: there are no longer free tours offered – which is really disappointing. The basic tour now costs $15.00) There are additional in-depth tours and experiences available if you’re a true beer fanatic. For most guests, the basic free tour is a perfect way to learn about the brewery and its historic ties to St. Louis. The basic tour also includes a stop in the beautiful historic stables where you’ll have the chance to see the Budweiser Clydesdales up-close. The stable was built in 1885 and includes beautiful stained glass and perfectly polished carriages inside. You’ll also have the chance to have your photo taken and pet the beautiful horses.

What you don’t always get to see is how pampered the horses are and how they are incredibly cared for. Back behind the historic brewery stables is a separate facility where horses are bathed, brushed, and even vacuumed to make sure they are looking photogenic at all times. Even the hitches that transport the horses across the country are first rate accommodations compared to how most horses are moved from one site to another.

In addition to the brewery downtown, you can also see the horses at another St. Louis attraction: Grants Farm. This beloved St. Louis institution has been giving residents and visitors free admission for decades – and includes a petting zoo, tram tour, special events, and of course – beer. The Clydesdales can also be found in stables across the street and roaming through the open fields next door.

Two hours west of St. Louis is Warm Springs Ranch which is the breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Tours here are made in advance and give you the opportunity to learn about the horses and how they are raised. You’ll be stunned to see how big even the youngest Clydesdales can be. This is where some of the notable Super Bowl commercials featuring the Clydesdales have been filmed.

Budweiser Clydesdales Fun Facts

• The Budweiser Clydesdales began as a gift to August Busch to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933.
• All of the Budweiser Clydesdales are male, with specific requirements like a height of six feet and all white legs.
• They can eat about 55 pounds of hay and drink as much as 30 gallons of water – each day!
• They are often called “gentle giants” for their laid back, easy going personality – despite their massive size.

To check out a free tour of the historic Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis and see the Budweiser Clydesdales stable, you can visit: Budweiser Tours .

To arrange a tour of the breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales in Boonville, Missouri you can visit: Warm Springs Ranch.

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Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours

St. louis brewery is america’s largest beer maker.

The famous brewing factory offers daily tours that focus on the storied heritage of the company, the unique architecture of the brewery itself, and the state-of-the-art technology used in creating its various brands. Guests 21 years of age or older are invited to sample Anheuser-Busch products in the brewery’s hospitality room after the tour, including both new and seasonal products, while gift shops sell souvenirs of all sorts. There is also a chance to see the nearby Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, Beechwood Lager Cellars, Bevo Packaging Facility, and historic Brew House.

With roots dating to 1852, Anheuser-Busch is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. The company makes more than 100 beers, including the top 2 sellers in the USA.

In 1864, Adolphus Busch went to work at a brewery owned by his father-in-law, Eberhard Anheuser. 15 years later, the company changed its name to Anheuser-Busch. Fueled by the popularity of its top-selling product, Budweiser, the brewery would grow to become the biggest in the nation. It didn’t get to be #1 by accident.

Innovations Lead to Early Success of Brewery

Several factors helped St. Louis based beer makers become popular. Adolphus Busch made use of pasteurization, the practice of introducing heat to the brewing process. The pasteurization of beer helped destroy micro-organisms within the beer, which gave it longer shelf life. Combined with a fleet of 850 refrigerated rail cars, Busch was able to ship his beer great distances from the St. Louis brewery.

Prior to the 1880s, the only options for saloon patrons of the American west were locally brewed beer, or whiskey, which didn’t spoil in the bottle the way beer would. With the introduction of the pasteurization process and the refrigerated rail cars, Busch could slake the thirsts of miners, cowboys, and frontiersmen in the remote western regions of the country. No other brewer of the day used these methods of brewing and delivery, and Budweiser gained a loyal following that it still enjoys today.

Busch Uses Clever Marketing to Sell Beer

In addition to his prowess as a brewmaster, Adolphus Busch was a marketing and promotional expert. Even in those early days, he saw the value of advertising as a way to develop brand loyalty. While other brewers relied on the word-of-mouth method of advertising, Busch developed other methods. Posters, featuring beautiful women holding Budweiser bottles, would hang on tavern walls. Busch also gave away items sporting the Budweiser name. Cheap pocket knives would be handed out to prospective customers, who would see the Budweiser name whenever they used the knife.

The company that he co-founded has continued the practice of clever advertising. Various different advertising campaigns have promoted Bud, Bud Light, and other Anheuser-Busch products. The company has also made use of some easily identifiable logos and mascots. The A and Eagle have been with the company since its founding and has undergone slight modifications over the years. In 1933, the six-hitch Clydesdale team made its debut, and the Clydesdale pulling a beer wagon is a common sight that is instantly identifiable with Bud. The Dalmatian dog got his first ride on the beer wagon in 1950.

Bud, Busch and the Future of Beer

Since its founding in St. Louis, through the Prohibition years of the 20s and 30s, and right on up to today, Anheuser-Busch has changed with the times and rolled with the punches. They control almost half of the beer market in the United States, with Bud Light being the most popular beer in the country and Budweiser topping the worldwide bestseller list.

It is difficult to imagine a world without beer. It’s just as hard to imagine the circumstances that would have to happen to displace Anheuser-Busch from its position as America’s biggest selling brewery. As long as people thirst for beer, the future of Anheuser-Busch seems secure. Long live the King.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery One Busch Place St. Louis, MO 63118 (800) 342-5283

Anheuser-Busch Tours

The free tours are offered and for those that are over age 21, there is free sampling in the hospitality room at the conclusion of the tour. See how the beer is made in the Brew House suilt in 1891, visit the Beechwood Aging Cellars, and the state-of-the-art packaging facility.

Adults can enjoy two free glasses of any Anheuser-Busch product in the Hospitality Room at the end of the tour. Tourists can see beer being made live in front of them in hot and steamy vats in a working part of the brewery (from behind Plexiglas shields).

St. Louis is the worldwide headquarters for Anheuser-Busch.

The tours begin with a visit to the home of the Clydesdales eight-horse hitch, which is one of the historic landmarks on the property. The company keeps a rotation of its famous Clydesdale horses at its headquarters, and visitors to the brewery can observe the Clydesdales in their exercise field and see their places in the carriage house. The bulk of the herd is kept at the company farm in St. Louis County. The farm, known to many a St. Louisan as Grant’s Farm (having been owned by former President Ulysses S. Grant at one time.)

The atrium welcomes visitors with a visual tour of the beginning of the company. Pictures walk you through the early days and end in the present.

Anheuser-Busch began as a small brewery located in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1860, Eberhard Anheuser, a German-born prosperous soap manufacturer, became the owner of the struggling brewery. Adolphus Busch, Anheuser’s son-in-law, became a partner in 1869 and became president when Anheuser died in 1880.

Adolphus Busch was the first U.S. brewer to use pasteurization to keep beer fresh, the first to use artificial refrigeration and refrigerated railroad cars, and the first to bottle beer extensively. In 1876, Busch introduced America’s first national beer brand – Budweiser.

Anheuser-Busch became the largest brewer in the United States in 1957.

Anheuser-Busch’s international operations, Anheuser-Busch International, Inc., was established in 1981 and is responsible for the company’s foreign beer operations and equity investments.

Today, Anheuser-Busch operates 12 breweries and several theme parks in the United States and has operations around the world

Location: 12th and Lynch St. Louis, Missouri Take I-55 to Arsenal St. Exit 206C

Phone: 314-577-2626

Anheuser Museum & Estate – Kimmswick, Mo

Fred and Mabel Ruth Anheuser’s ancestral home is located in Kimmwsick. This historic estate was gifted to Fred and Mabel Ruth in the 1940′s by his father, W. Fred Anheuser. Fred’s great grandfather, Eberhard Anheuser, was the founder of E.Ahneuser Brewing Company. The brewery later became the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, producer of world-famous Budweiser Beer, after Eberhard’s daughter Lillie married Adolphus Busch. Fred was the last Anheuser to work the brewery retiring as a Vice-President.

Through the generosity of Mabel Ruth and her heirs, this pristine river estate and its 23-acre grounds were donated to the City of Kimmswick. With the help of the Anheuser heirs, family and brewery artifacts and other memorabilia have been preserved for public viewing in honor of the contributions that the Anheuser family made to Kimmswick and the entire St. Louis region.

The Anheuser collection includes family heirlooms, antiques, portraits, and a family library. Accenting the collection are Mrs. Anheuser’s Westward Ho Crystal collection, a pair of 1904 hand-carved World’s Fair beds, and an original “Feasting Fox” perched on the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi.

Phone: 636-464-7407

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