<PAGE>
Exhibit 99
[logo Anheuser-Busch, Inc.]
News
For more information, contact:
Carlos Ramirez (314) 577-9629
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANHEUSER-BUSCH REPORTS INCREASED U.S. BEER VOLUME IN 2004
---------------------------------------------------------
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 5, 2005 - Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the U.S. beer
subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.,
increased U.S. beer shipments to
wholesalers to 103 million barrels in 2004
--- up 400,000 barrels or 0.4
percent over 2003, it was announced today
by Anheuser-Busch, Inc.,
President, August A. Busch IV.
"Anheuser-Busch was able to increase shipments in 2004 due to
the
continued growth of brands like Michelob
ULTRA and Bud Light and due to the
efforts of our employees and wholesaler
partners across the country," said
Busch.
Fourth quarter beer shipments by Anheuser-Busch to wholesalers
decreased 1.5 percent. Wholesaler
sales-to-retailers were down 0.3 percent
for the full year and decreased 3.2 percent
in the fourth quarter.
Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. will announce
worldwide beer volume and
consolidated earnings results for the
fourth quarter and full year 2004 on
Feb. 2, 2005.
The company continues to expect 10 percent to 11 percent(1)
earnings per share growth for 2004,
excluding one-time items. One-time items
include the first-quarter 2004 commodity
hedge gain, the fourth-quarter 2004
gain on sale of the CCU investment and a
fourth-quarter 2004 deferre
