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@@img1ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11 – Are you an energy drinker open to discovery? If so, Anheuser-Busch has something new that’ll make you rethink what you’ve come to expect in today’s energy drinks of choice — 180 Blue. Available nationwide, 180 Blue is the first packaged energy drink launched by a major beverage company in the United States to contain the Acai (pronounced Ah-sigh-ee) berry. Discovered in Brazil, the Acai berry itself is a small, dark, purple fruit from the palmberry tree. It usually grows in the wild Amazonian jungles in Brazil, is rich in B vitamins, minerals (particularly iron), fiber, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and anthocyanin (member of the flavored class of antioxidants).
“With 180 Blue we didn’t set out to create just another energy drink. We set out to give energy drinkers something unique, something unexpected and something they’ve never had before,” said Andy Goeler, vice president, Import, Craft and Alliance, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “We’ve taken today’s energy drink a step further with 180 Blue by creating something that has the best of both worlds — a great-tasting energy drink with a boost.”
In addition to juice from the Acai berry, 180 Blue contains guarana, red grape and blueberry juices in addition to vitamins B-6 and B-12. 180 Blue has a subtly sweet berry and grape flavor that’s the result of the natural ingredients used in creating the beverage. It’s blended with vitamins and natural flavors and contains no artificial colors. The dark bluish-purple liquid is a result of the juices used to create 180 Blue.
180 Blue is the third product being introduced into the 180 family. 180 Orange Citrus Blast (introduced in 2001) and 180 Energy X-3 Lemon-Lime Citrus Blast (introduced in 2004) have been met with great success and sales are currently performing up over 75 percent year to date. (*Source sales to retailers data through September.)
180 Blue will be available at convenience and grocery stores in addition to bars and clubs nationwide and is available in 8-ounce and 16-ounce cans.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.8 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2006. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is America’s top recycler of aluminum cans. For more information, visit http://www.anheuser-busch.com.