The US division of AB InBev has turned its attention to the country’s Mountain West region for the latest investment in beer production under its ‘Brewing Futures’ scheme.
Having announced funding last week for two facilities in California, Anheuser-Busch’s Fort Collins, Colorado, facility is also set to receive a US$23m cash injection. The money will be used to increase production of Michelob Ultra and expand local manufacturing skills training.
The investment will expand the site’s 25oz (74cl)-can production capabilities “to meet growing consumer demand”, according to Anheuser-Busch. “It will also increase rail capacity, strengthening transportation capabilities and route to market,” the unit added.
Anheuser-Busch is also set to open a ‘technical skills training centre’ inside the brewery, one of 15 such assets across the country.
Launched last year, the ‘Brewing Futures’ investment programme pledges US600m for the company’s US operations across 2025 and 2026. The amount was doubled from its original outlay of $300m in April this year.
“Our investment in the Fort Collins Brewery strengthens our ability to brew and deliver the world-class beers consumers know and love, including Michelob Ultra,” said unit CEO Brendan Whitworth. “Investments at this scale help fuel economic growth, create and sustain high-quality jobs, and reinforce our long-term commitment to the communities where we live and work.”
Also as part of the scheme, Anheuser-Busch’s Baldwinsville Brewery in upstate New York was granted $13m last month.
