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Budweiser to rename beer 'America'

<p>Soon, Budweiser won't be Budweiser. Until the presidential election in November, the beer company is changing the name on its cans to "America." </p><p>While the design is largely staying the same, pretty much every reference to the company's real name is being substituted with the overtly patriotic moniker. Even a banner that used to describe the brewing process will now simply be lyrics from "The Star-Spangled Banner." </p><p>Dare we say we're not surprised? </p><p>Budweiser has been making patriotism the theme of its summer cans for a while now. The "America" marketing ploy is no throw-away, though. From a sales standpoint, summer is the <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/beer-makers-pray-for-a-fruitful-summer-1404077503" target="_blank">most important season</a>. </p><p>But here's the best part: Even though Budweiser is made in the U.S., it's actually owned by a Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate. We're guessing three national anthems are a little harder to fit on the can.  </p><p>The new "America" cans debut <a href="http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/a-b-inbev-replace-budweiser-america-packs/303918/" target="_blank">May 23.</a></p><p><i>This video includes clips and images from </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPCk_8dtVyR1lLHMBEILW4g" target="_blank"><i>Anheuser-Busch InBev</i></a><i>. </i></p>
<p>Soon, Budweiser won't be Budweiser. Until the presidential election in November, the beer company is changing the name on its cans to "America." </p><p>While the design is largely staying the same, pretty much every reference to the company's real name is being substituted with the overtly patriotic moniker. Even a banner that used to describe the brewing process will now simply be lyrics from "The Star-Spangled Banner." </p><p>Dare we say we're not surprised? </p><p>Budweiser has been making patriotism the theme of its summer cans for a while now. The "America" marketing ploy is no throw-away, though. From a sales standpoint, summer is the <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/beer-makers-pray-for-a-fruitful-summer-1404077503" target="_blank">most important season</a>. </p><p>But here's the best part: Even though Budweiser is made in the U.S., it's actually owned by a Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate. We're guessing three national anthems are a little harder to fit on the can.  </p><p>The new "America" cans debut <a href="http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/a-b-inbev-replace-budweiser-america-packs/303918/" target="_blank">May 23.</a></p><p><i>This video includes clips and images from </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPCk_8dtVyR1lLHMBEILW4g" target="_blank"><i>Anheuser-Busch InBev</i></a><i>. </i></p>
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NEW YORK (AP) — There's no trademark on America.

Budweiser, now owned by Belgium's AB Inbev, will rename its beer "America" this summer and alter its labels with images and phrases affiliated with the republic.

The red, white and blue campaign is being launched into a very competitive market already foamy with craft beers, and upon a drinking public bracing itself for a presidential election likely to be unlike any before it.

"We are embarking on what should be the most patriotic summer that this generation has ever seen, with Copa America Centenario being held on U.S. soil for the first time, Team USA competing at the Rio 2016, Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Ricardo Marques, vice president at Budweiser.

The Copa America Centenario is a ceremonial soccer tournament typically held in South America.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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