Billy
Busch
CEO
Kräftig
B
usinessman, philanthropist, husband,
proud father of seven, polo player,
and president and CEO of a St.
Louis brewing company, William K. “Billy”
Busch is a man with many passions and
accomplishments.
Billy is part of a family legacy in the beer
industry dating back to the mid-1800s when
his great-grandfather Adolphus A. Busch,
opened the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St.
Louis. Billy learned the beer business from
his father, August “Gussie” Busch Jr., and led
operations at Grants Farm while the Busch
family led Anheuser-Busch until its merger
with InBev in 2008.
In November 2011, Billy launched the
William K. Busch Brewing Company. In
honor of his German heritage, he named its
first product, Kräftig, which consists of two
brands of domestic lagers: Kräftig lager and
Kräftig light, brewed in accordance with
the 500-year-old German Beer Purity Law,
allowing only four ingredients – barley malt,
yeast, water and hops. By 2013, the company
had expanded its distribution network across
Missouri and South Texas.
The two Kräftigs have picked up 25 medals
at international beer competitions, including
gold for Kräftig light at the 2016 Los Angeles
International Beer Competition and gold for
Kräftig lager at the 2016 Denver International
Beer Competition and in the U.S. Open Beer
Championship for four consecutive years.
Billy’s wife, Christy, and son, Billy Busch Jr.
have prominent roles in the company.
Billy’s competitive spirit and drive extends
to his love for polo. He serves as director
emeritus for Epworth Children and Family
Services.
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GAZELLE STL