Brewers go head to head in battle of the Buds

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2004

PRAGUE (AFP) — Back in the late 19th century when businessman Adolphus Busch decided to export the beer-making tradition, name and ingredients from Austro-Hungary to America he could have little foreseen the bitter battle he would later unleash.

German-born Busch, one of the founders of Anheuser-Busch (AB), chose the name Budweiser for his lager to appeal to a booming immigrant population.

Now almost 130 years on the American brewing giant is deeply embroiled in a global dispute with Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar over who has the rights to the trademarks Budweiser and Bud.

In dozens of countries across Europe, Asia and Africa, Budvar, the Czech Republic's third largest brewer in terms of output, is going head to head with AB, an American brewing giant 100...