Anheuser-Busch plans to spend $17 million on its Houston brewery, the latest investment by the beer giant in its sprawling U.S. manufacturing network.
The money will strengthen the company’s transportation capabilities and ensure that the Anheuser-Busch facility remains “at the forefront of brewing excellence in the region,” according to a statement. The announcement adds to the more than $50 million invested in the Houston brewery during the past three years.
“This investment in Houston is the latest example of Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to strengthen our local communities by creating and sustaining jobs and driving economic growth,” Brendan Whitworth, Anheuser-Busch’s CEO, said in a statement.
The Bud Light and Stella Artois maker said it has committed to investing $300 million in its U.S. facilities this year through technology advancements and worker training programs. The total is part of a broader $2 billion in spending the company has invested in its manufacturing facilities during the last five years.
The beer space as a whole remains mired in a downturn as consumers turn to other alcoholic offerings, cut back on how much they drink, or abstain from booze altogether. The industry is also vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs, prompting major players to focus more heavily on local production.
Still, Anheuser-Busch has expressed confidence that it can grow beer sales, particularly among younger millennials and older Gen-Zers nearing their 30s.
Anheuser-Busch parent AB-InBev said in its most recent quarter that the company gained volume share in the struggling beer space, with help from brands such as Michelob Ultra and Busch Light. It’s also experienced strengthening momentum for RTD canned cocktails including its Nütrl and Cutwater brands.
