Budweiser is well known as an American beer but there are two different beer companies making a claim on this brand. The Czech beer company also claims a right to the Budweiser name. This led to major disagreements and after unsuccessful attempts at resolving the problem, each company filed a law suit in its own country.
The results differed in each country and each company won some rights but not an exclusive one. This led to a division in the market and more legal battles.
Anheuser-Busch was founded by German immigrants and American beer brewer claimed the Budweiser name in 1876.
A Czech beer company was already producing Budvar beer . The name Budweiser was chosen for this product in 1876, but the manufacturers discovered that another Budweiser already existed, in United States, so Budvar (Czech) sold their product under the name "Crystal". Menwhile, Budweiser brewers in United States started to export under the name "Bud" to get around the trademark problem. Then the battle escalated, and both companies use the name "Bud" and both claim exclusive rights.
The difference between these two beers is more than just a name. The Czech variety is heavier, stronger and less gassy than the American one. Budweiser (American variety manufactured by Anheuser-Busch) is light, fairly gassy and refreshing.
There are cultural differences in beer drinking between the two varieties, and the two countries, but it's mostly a matter of personal choice.
Which do you prefer?
