Missouri Breweries History: Anheuser-Busch Companies - Busch Bavarian Beer The post prohibition era of beer brewing was extremely competitive. After losing its industry leadership to one of his biggest rivals, Schlitz beer, August A Busch Jr. (Gussie) was determined to put his company back on top. Part of this strategy was to introduce a new brand (Busch Bavarian Beer) to compete at a low price. Busch Bavarian Beer was introduced in 1955 on national TV. Busch Beer was orriginal sold in the South, Midwest, and Mid-Alantic regions of the U.S. In 1979 Anheuser-Busch dropped the word Bavarian from the brand name and repositioned the beer in the market place as a premium beer. Busch Beer also became available in 33 states ending the Busch Beers status as only a regional beer.