Busch, Adolphus (1839–1913)

German-born US brewer who became a naturalized citizen in 1867. He is credited with developing a new lighter and drier beer that he named ‘Budweiser’. He pasteurized his beer and helped develop mechanical refrigeration so he could ship farther. In 1898 he brought the Diesel engine to the USA from Switzerland.

He was born in Mainz, Germany. In 1857 he moved to St Louis, Missouri and opened a brewing supply store with his brother. In 1861, the brothers married the daughters of customer Eberhard Anheuser; soon thereafter Adolphus became a partner in his father-in-law's brewery. He built a glass factory to make his bottles When Anheuser died (1879) Busch renamed the brewery the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association. He founded the St Louis Manufacturers' Railway to transport coal from his Illinois mines. He was a generous donor to a variety of institutions and causes.