Congressman Quigley Wins Anheuser-Busch Brew Democracy Cup

The Second Annual Brew Across America Beer Festival in Washington, D.C., brought together members, media, and beer industry experts over brews

September 5, 2018, Washington, D.C. – Anheuser-Busch crowned Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) the 2018 winner of the Brew Democracy Cup at their second annual Brew Across America Beer Festival in Washington, D.C. This year brought 11 Members of Congress from eight states to the brewing battleground of Eastern Market to see whose locally crafted beer would take home the cup.

“I'm thrilled to take this win back to the people of Illinois' Fifth District who inspired the creation of this perfect summer beer,” said Rep. Quigley (D-IL). “Scout's Cerveza is a Mexican-style pale lager named after our family dog, Scout. But beyond our beloved pet, this new brew pays tribute to the diverse residents of Chicago, the vibrancy of our city, and the refreshing breeze felt on Lake Shore Drive. I thank the team at Anheuser-Busch for organizing such a fun and creative challenge.”

This summer, each participating Member of Congress had the opportunity to visit a brewery in their home state and work alongside brewmasters to create a signature beer inspired by local flavors and ingredients. During the brew days, the members met with brewery employees to learn about the brewing process and the beer industry firsthand.

“It was great to see the creativity and passion that members and their brewing teams brought to the competition,” said Doug Bailey, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Anheuser-Busch. “We've been brewing beer for more than 165 years in the United States, and we launched Brew Across America as a way to share our love for brewing with members of Congress. Congrats to Congressman Quigley whose beer we will have on tap in our D.C. office.”

This is the second year in a row that Anheuser-Busch has hosted the Congressional brewing competition, with Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) winning last year's event for his Gateway IPA brewed in St. Louis.

The 11 participating Members of Brew Across America 2018 were:

• Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Fort Collins, CO 
• Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Blue Point Brewery, Patchogue, NY
• Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge, CO 
• Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Merrimack, NH
• Congressman John Katko (R-NY), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Baldwinsville, NY 
• Congressman Steve Knight (R-CA), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Los Angeles, CA 
• Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Merrimack, NH 
• Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, IL 
• Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, NC
• Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Jacksonville, FL 
• Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR), 10 Barrel Brewing, Portland, OR

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

• Fritz Brogan, Mission Group
• Carrie Budoff Brown, POLITICO
• Bill Catron, Cicerone from Capitol Eagle
• Josh Dawsey, The Washington Post
• Peter Doocy, Fox News
• Carl Hulse, The New York Times
• Kasie Hunt, MSNBC
• Paul Kane, The Washington Post
• Jennifer Logan, Senior Brewmaster, Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery
• Lachlan Markay, Daily Beast
• Jim McGreevy, Beer Institute
• Nycci Nellis, TheListAreYouOnIt; Foodie & The Beast

Anheuser-Busch 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 reinforces the bipartisan nature of beer and its ability to foster dialogue and find common ground. The collaborative and inclusive environment created by this event is a unique experience for all those involved.

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 been woven into the cultural fabric of the United States, carrying on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate 23 breweries, 20 distributorships and 22 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.

For more information, visit www.anheuserbusch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.