Congresswoman Ann Wagner Wins Anheuser-Busch Brew Democracy Cup

Congresswoman Ann Wagner, along with the St. Louis Brewery in Missouri, was crowned the 2019 winner of the Brew Democracy Cup at the third annual Anheuser-Busch Brew Across America Beer Festival in Washington, D.C.

10 Members of Congress visited an Anheuser-Busch brewery or one of Anheuser-Busch’s craft partners in their home state and worked alongside brewmasters to create a signature beer inspired by local flavors and ingredients. Tonight, the unique home state brews were judged by a panel of media, D.C. restaurant owners, and beer industry specialists based on five different characteristics. Last year, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and the Goose Island Beer Company brew team won the cup with “Scout’s Cerveza.” In 2017, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) and the St. Louis Anheuser-Busch brew team won with “Gateway IPA.”

“I am excited to win this year’s Brew Democracy Cup with our Big House Brew, a beechwood-aged beer we brewed in St. Louis with ingredients from historic Grant’s Farm,” said Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO). “Thanks to Anheuser-Busch for giving us such a great opportunity to create and share a beer that showcases local Missouri agriculture and is perfect to crack open on a hot day after work.”

“Beer is bipartisan, and what better way to bring members of Congress together than over a friendly brewing competition?” said Cesar Vargas, U.S. Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. “As the leader of the U.S. beer industry, we’re honored to have so many members visit our breweries and share in our history and heritage of brewing great beer. Congratulations to Congresswoman Ann Wagner, whose beer we look forward to enjoying on tap at the bar in our D.C. office.”

The 10 participating Members of Brew Across America 2019 were:

• Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery
• Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) and the Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery
• Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville Brewery
• Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Goose Island Beer Company
• Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Devils Backbone Brewing Company
• Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Four Peaks Brewing Company
• Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and the Breckenridge Brew Pub
• Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) and Karbach Brewing Company
• Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and the Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery
• Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery

The judging panel was made up of members of the media, beer industry experts, and restaurant executives: 

• Bill Catron, Capitol Eagle
• Susan Davis, NPR
• Josh Dawsey, The Washington Post   
• Paul Kane, The Washington Post
• Julia Manchester, The Hill 
• Lachlan Markay, Daily Beast
• Jim McGreevy, Beer Institute
• Tom O’Connell, Head Judge and Sr. Director of Brewing Operations at Anheuser-Busch
• Manu Raju, CNN
• Kayla Tausche, CNBC
• Paul Volpe, POLITICO

The country’s leading brewer launched Brew Across America in 2017 as a way to bring the nation’s political leaders together over a beer to discuss issues facing the country. The initiative highlights the bipartisan nature of beer and its ability to foster dialogue and find common ground.

For more information on Brew Across America and the Congressional Brewing Competition, follow @AnheuserBusch on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and join the conversation using #BrewDemocracy.

About Anheuser-Busch

For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate 23 breweries, 14 distributorships and 23 agricultural and packaging facilities, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home.