Anheuser-Busch has reached a major milestone in its long-standing disaster relief efforts, producing its 100 millionth can of emergency drinking water for U.S. communities in need since launching the initiative in 1988.
The beverage giant, known for brands like Budweiser, Michelob ULTRA, and Stella Artois, marked the achievement Thursday at its Fort Collins brewery, where it announced a $6 million investment to enhance its ability to produce both beer and emergency water. The upgrade is expected to further bolster the company’s rapid response capacity during natural disasters.
“For decades, we’ve paused beer production when our neighbors needed clean drinking water most,” said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our people and our partners. It’s part of who we are—and it’s something we’ll continue to do.”
Anheuser-Busch’s emergency water program is carried out in partnership with the American Red Cross and supported by a nationwide network of breweries and wholesaler partners. Currently, its facilities in Fort Collins, Colorado and Cartersville, Georgia operate year-round to ensure a ready supply of water is available for emergency deployment.
Timed with the milestone, the company will ship its 100 millionth can this month as part of an annual initiative to support volunteer fire departments ahead of wildfire season. Working alongside the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Anheuser-Busch and its partners will deliver 1.5 million cans of emergency water to more than 630 departments across 45 states this year.
“For over a century, Anheuser-Busch has been a vital partner in disaster relief,” said Cliff Holtz, CEO of the American Red Cross. “Reaching 100 million cans of water underscores the life-saving impact of this partnership.”
According to NVFC CEO Sarah Lee, more than 10% of all cans produced have been distributed directly to fire departments, providing not just hydration but critical cost savings for often under-resourced first responders.
Since launching the initiative, all 12 of Anheuser-Busch’s U.S. breweries have paused beer production at times to produce water. The program is just one example of how the 165-year-old company says it’s using its scale to invest in communities and deliver support when it matters most.
