Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery Holiday Lights Display Opens Friday, Nov. 16

During the holiday season, Anheuser-Busch will offer guests a chance to take photos with a world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale and take free, nighttime tours of the brewery's historic campus, which features thousands of holiday lights.  Beginning Friday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Jan. 4, visitors may view the lights from their cars at 6 p.m. until midnight.

This is the 27^th year the brewery has invited guests to view the holiday lights display, which visitors may access from Arsenal St., turning onto Seventh St. and then traveling along Pestalozzi St.  The display takes nearly six weeks to install.

"Our holiday light display has become a tradition that many in our community take in each and every year," said Jeff Pitts, St. Louis brewery general manager.  "We hope everyone will have a chance to come down and enjoy all the glittering lights that illuminate our brewery."

On the first three Fridays in December, the tour center has extended hours until 8:30 p.m. and guests may bring their cameras to take photos with a Clydesdale from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Tours include the historic Brew House,the Clydesdales stable and Bevo packaging facility,as well as a scenic view of the lights along Pestalozzi St.

"Our free tours on Friday evenings in December are becoming a must-see holiday event," said Sue O'Leary, senior manager for Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours and Gifts.  "After the tour, visitors are welcome to do some holiday shopping at our gift shop featuring branded Anheuser-Busch merchandise."

The gift shop will be open until 8:30 p.m. on the extended hour Fridays.  Holiday decorations and music will be featured throughout the Tour Center, which offers an extensive selection of the latest in apparel, hats, glassware, holiday ornaments and other collectables bearing Budweiser and other Anheuser-Busch brand logos.  Free parking is available at the Tour Center, located on the corner of Lynch and 12^th streets.

The display now features two live permanently planted trees instead of harvested ones that were used in the past.  Each of the planted trees will be blanketed with glistening lights, one positioned in front of the historic Bevo packaging plant near the intersection of Busch Place and Pestalozzi Street, and another near the brewery's tour center.

St. Louis Brewery Tour Center daytime hours will remain in effect during the holiday season, including Fridays with expanded hours.

Regular brewery tour hours are:

• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday
• 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday

Regular gift shop hours are:

• 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday
• 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday

The Tour Center and gift shop are closed Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 24, Christmas Day, Dec. 26,       Dec. 31 and New Year's Day.  For more information on the free brewery tours, call 314-577-2626 or go to www.budweisertours.com.