Cans
During the Prohibition Era, Budweiser encountered its first major obstacle to profit and growth. As alcohol became illegal to sell and produce, all alcohol companies, including Budweiser, struggled to remain profitable. Budweiser began producing non-alcoholic beverages during Prohibition to counter its ill effects. Prohibition began in 1920, and lasted into the middle of the Great Depression in 1933. These are two major setbacks that this company experienced. Just as laws regarding prohibition were repealed, Budweiser was faced with more serious economic struggles, which made their success (like all other companies) very unlikely. In attempt to re-stimulate interest in their beer, Budweiser executed a hugely successful marketing strategy of introducing beer cans for the first time in 1936. This new packaging led to an increase in sales which lasted until the start of World War II in 1939.
Over the years, Budweiser has undergone various design changes to its can which are discussed in the table below. Many of these changes are in response to market conditions and consumer tastes. Since 1936, 12 major can design changes have occurred, not including the temporary special edition designs. The table below describes each of the 12 major can designs.
| Era | Beer title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1936–1942 | Budweiser Lager Beer | Gold colored can made of steel with American image of an eagle |
| 1942–1945 | Budweiser Lager Beer | Same design as previous can, except in an olive drab color to provide camouflage for troops in World War II |
| 1950–1956 | Budweiser Lager Beer | Gold colored split label can with list of breweries at the bottom of the can |
| 1956–1958 | Budweiser Lager Beer | Red, white, and blue split label can with same design as previous can |
| 1963 | Budweiser Lager Beer | First all-aluminum beer can; red, white, and blue color scheme |
| 1964–1972 | Budweiser Lager Beer | Introduction of the tab top can, still with the same color scheme as previous design |
| 1970s | Budweiser Lager Beer | Similar design as last five cans, with Budweiser creed, Anheuser-Busch logo, and eagle images |
| 1980s–1990s | King of Beers | Same design as previous, with slightly different can shape |
| 1996–1999 | King of Beers | Horizontal label rather than classic vertical label, and introduction of 'Born on' dating which tells exactly when the beer was brewed |
| 1999–2000 | Millennium | Limited-edition can with vertical label for the beginning of a new millennium |
| 2001–2011 | King of Beers | Horizontal can design with red, white, and blue color scheme |
| 2011– | King of Beers | Red, white, and gold color scheme; new bow-tie design with much more modern appearance |
Read more about this topic: Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch), Containers and Packaging
Famous quotes containing the word cans:
“Like plowing, housework makes the ground ready for the germination of family life. The kids will not invite a teacher home if beer cans litter the living room. The family isn’t likely to have breakfast together if somebody didn’t remember to buy eggs, milk, or muffins. Housework maintains an orderly setting in which family life can flourish.”
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (20th century)
“Are cans constitutionally iffy? Whenever, that is, we say that we can do something, or could do something, or could have done something, is there an if in the offing—suppressed, it may be, but due nevertheless to appear when we set out our sentence in full or when we give an explanation of its meaning?”
—J.L. (John Langshaw)
“I was so angry to realize I’m a Quebecois, with no past, no history, just two cans of maple syrup.”
—Jean Claude Lauzon (b. 1954)