Anheuser-Busch Beer Products Still Kosher

There has been a bit of turmoil recently regarding the kashrus status of Anheuser-Busch beers. The controversy stemmed from a new product released by the brewery which incorporated another libation called Clamato is made from clam powder. Kashrus Magazine warned that all Anheuser-Busch products should be considered suspect until a reliable evaluation of their kashrus status could be conducted. The Chicago Rabbinical Council, which certifies many products produced in the same plant as Clamato, conducted an investigation, and came to the following conclusions, available on their website [pdf]:

• Unflavored Anheuser-Busch beers sold in bottles and kegs (on-tap) are free and clear of any concerns.
• Dr Pepper has already made changes to the production of the Clamato used in Chelada, without changing its basic recipe, so that Anheuser-Busch beers sold in cans will also be acceptable.
• The kosher status of Anheuser-Busch beers are not affected by the Bud Light Lime beverage bottled on shared equipment.
• All flavored beers require a reliable kosher certification. At the present time, Chelada and Lime beer are not certified kosher.

The CRC released a more detailed assesment of the situation [pdf].

Thanks to SerandEz for the tip.

Tagged as: Anheuser-Busch, beer, budweiser, chelada, clams, clemato, crc, dr. pepper, kashrus magazine, kosher