Traditional Brewing Brewing at Anheuser-Busch is a long, natural process taking up to 30 days. It may appear old-fashioned to brew beer principally the way the company has been brewing it for more than 100 years, but Anheuser-Busch has never found a better way to brew than by combining quality ingredients using slow, precise steps that give nature the time it needs to create good beer. The Budweiser lagering process involves cooling and transferring nearly end-fermented beer to a closed lagering tank in which clean beechwood chips have been layered on the bottom. A special kraeusen brew, that is actively fermenting, is added immediately. The addition of 15 percent kraeusen allows a secondary fermentation to take place, which creates natural carbonation. It is crucial that kraeusen is added immediately after Budweiser is put in a lager tank. This marks the beginning of the aging period. Budweiser is aged, or lagered, with beechwood chips for approximately 3 weeks, a longer period than used by many brewers. Beechwood chips are used instead of other types of wood because beechwood is low in phenolics and resins that otherwise would impart woody flavor to the beer. These chips are boiled in water and baking soda-and not soda ash-before use. Having a latticework of beechwood chips on the bottom of our lager tanks allows our lager yeast to settle over the wood instead of creating layers at the bottom of the vessel. This in turn allows a greater amount of yeast contact with aging beer, which ensures complete fermentation, natural carbonation and flavor maturation. It is inaccurate to equate beechwood aging with fining. Fining refers to a process of adding a substance (such as isinglass) to the beer as it is aging or being stored. As the fining agent settles to the bottom of the vessel, its natural charge attracts yeast cells and particulate matter, thus enhancing clarification of the beer. Anheuser-Busch, does not use fining agents. Their lengthy lagering process allows plenty of time for the beer to clarify, with yeast settling naturally onto the beechwood at the bottom of the vessel. Additional information: Biomass Energy Processing & Environmental Health Data (2000)