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Family Reins: The Extraordinary Rise and Epic Fall of an American Dynasty
The story of the iconic Anheuser-Busch dynasty, written -- for the first time -- by a Busch heir. As an heir to the Anheuser-Busch company and fortune, Billy Busch was raised on the real stories of how his family built one of America's oldest and most iconic brands. Since the company was formed almost 150 years ago, the Busch family, their beer, the famous Clydesdales in their advertising, and even their style of business have become a symbol of the American dream -- that not-so-outdated belief that hard work, grit, and a positive can-do attitude make anything possible. Growing up on the family's ancestral estate as a prince to the King of Beers, Billy lived a life only kids could dream up -- living in an amusement park, traveling by private rail car and yacht, and playing with his pet elephant, Tessie. But as he grew up, he realized that the Busch family legacy was not just wealth and privilege. With no separation between family and business, Billy’s father -- more boss than dad -- continued the tradition of preparing the next generation for corporate leadership, with high and exacting standards for his children. For Billy, all of this, combined with a dysfunctional family environment, was all too normal. Family Reins tells the story of a legendary American family, their rise to power, and their fall from grace through poisonous infighting, succession struggles, and a seemingly endless string of tragedies, scandals, and loss.
222 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2023
108 people are currently reading
3328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 20, 2023
I picked up Family Reins hoping for a juicy tell-all or an insider's history of the storied Busch family of St. Louis. But the book was relatively tame, and it felt like there was a lot of missing information and many glossed over details. A little Googling revealed some of the facts that Billy Busch left out of this whitewashed memoir:
1) Billy had a daughter with a former girlfriend, who posted on Facebook that he had neglected and abandoned her. She is never mentioned in the book or on the (canceled) MTV reality show focused on his beautiful blonde wife and 7 other children.
2) He was charged with assaulting an 11 year old boy at his son's basketball game. And also of punching a fast food worker in the throat at the drive-thru window.
3) Although he has no official position with Anheuser-Busch (the company was sold to InBev in 2008), he told TMZ that his ancestors would have "rolled over in their graves" if they knew about the furor caused by putting a transgender influencer's face on a promotional only case of beer. Budweiser drinkers, according to Billy, "want their beer to be truly American, truly patriotic," which apparently means no queers.
The stuff Busch does include in the book is pretty alarming as well. Sure he was a "poor little rich boy" who had everything except love, and his family did suffer its share of tragedies, but that doesn't mean it was okay to literally bite a guy's ear off in a bar fight. Although he claims to love animals, he seems to take more pleasure in describing how many of them he and the other male Busches took down in their game hunting. And he thinks it's hilarious that his dad, Gussie Busch, told him to shoot the black pigeons on their property and spare the white ones (because racism is funny?).
Really, the best thing you can say about Billy Busch is that he is not the guy who joked with DT45 about grabbing women by the p***y on the infamous Access Hollywood tape (that slimebucket's last name is Bush, no "c.")
1) Billy had a daughter with a former girlfriend, who posted on Facebook that he had neglected and abandoned her. She is never mentioned in the book or on the (canceled) MTV reality show focused on his beautiful blonde wife and 7 other children.
2) He was charged with assaulting an 11 year old boy at his son's basketball game. And also of punching a fast food worker in the throat at the drive-thru window.
3) Although he has no official position with Anheuser-Busch (the company was sold to InBev in 2008), he told TMZ that his ancestors would have "rolled over in their graves" if they knew about the furor caused by putting a transgender influencer's face on a promotional only case of beer. Budweiser drinkers, according to Billy, "want their beer to be truly American, truly patriotic," which apparently means no queers.
The stuff Busch does include in the book is pretty alarming as well. Sure he was a "poor little rich boy" who had everything except love, and his family did suffer its share of tragedies, but that doesn't mean it was okay to literally bite a guy's ear off in a bar fight. Although he claims to love animals, he seems to take more pleasure in describing how many of them he and the other male Busches took down in their game hunting. And he thinks it's hilarious that his dad, Gussie Busch, told him to shoot the black pigeons on their property and spare the white ones (because racism is funny?).
Really, the best thing you can say about Billy Busch is that he is not the guy who joked with DT45 about grabbing women by the p***y on the infamous Access Hollywood tape (that slimebucket's last name is Bush, no "c.")
October 7, 2024
When Billy Busch was describing how his time at Mizzou was the best time of his life, I felt that. ✊🏼
November 23, 2025
Required reading for my family business class
August 18, 2023
Forever a fan of the St Louis Cardinals, Grants Farm and the Clydesdales, this was a sad tale of a family dynasty that was built on hard work and crumbled in greed. Great read for anyone interested in the Busch family.
March 16, 2025
Billy Busch recounts the origins of the powerhouse beer company Anheiser-Busch and the incredible personalities that make the family. Tales of a fairytale life growing up on Busch Gardens and close up views of the struggles and triumphs of all things Busch are fascinating. Billy Busch tells how Budweiser came to be identified with the magnificent Clydesdale teams. The rise and fall over four generations of Buschs is an all American tale of ingueinty, shrewd cunning,greed,infighting,huge success, and shattering fall. It's a well told tale of a time when anything seemed possible in America.
August 2, 2023
A great and interesting read….
I loved reading the “insider scoop” of what has happened with the Busch family over the years. Bill tells the stories in a very entertaining way, one that anyone would enjoy as they read this fine book!
I loved reading the “insider scoop” of what has happened with the Busch family over the years. Bill tells the stories in a very entertaining way, one that anyone would enjoy as they read this fine book!
August 22, 2023
Wonderful book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the AB lore through Billy’s stories. Worth the read for sure- even if you don’t care much about beer- the history of St. Louis and Grants Farm woven into the story make it a great, quick read!
September 27, 2023
Imagine you’re at a bar and order a hearty, hoppy IPA draft to savour. But when the beer arrives and you take that first expectedly delightful sip, you realize it’s actually a thin and unsatisfying Bud Light.* You’d be pretty disappointed, right?
That’s basically how I felt soon after plunging into this book. I mistakenly anticipated juicy and salacious tales about, say, acts of unbridled depravity with the hired help that routinely played out behind the gilded walls of the Busch family chateaux. Or maybe revelations of Dad’s regular rendezvous with a young male lover in the back of the Clydesdales’ barn.
Sadly, most of what the reader gets from this one are very thin offerings such as that the author both drank beer and used tobacco at a young age. Big deal. Didn’t we all?
At his self-proclaimed worst, the author once went full Mike Tyson and bit some ear off an opponent in a barroom brawl late one night. He believes his family paid the guy off thereafter. That fact underscores how detached from reality his upbringing truly was. “Yea, I think the guy whose ear I bit off got some money from Dad. But, hey, let’s go play some more polo, guys!” Sheesh.
Much of his young life’s toothache, so to speak, centers on the fact that his Dad was thrice married and emotionally aloof. Stepmom #1 from Switzerland was similarly icy and never the warm, doting type. Stepmom #2 connived to cut the kids off from Dad’s fortunes, though she suddenly and perhaps mercifully died from an aneurysm before able to complete the scheme. No doubt those were challenging family relationships situations to navigate, but they’re really not uncommon.
There was also some “Successsion” type friction as to which child would replace Dad on the throne of the Budweiser kingdom, a divisive leadership change that permanently soured family relations. Again, no big deal there either. Happens all the time with family businesses, whether large, medium, or small.
Honestly, the only story that truly saddened me was the one about the death by automobile accident of both his young sister and a good friend. That terrible day understandably broke his Dad’s heart as well.
Author does seem like an affable guy I’d probably enjoy having a beer with, and his upbringing clearly had challenges. But this book is perhaps best for the author’s descendants,, an audience he admittedly had in mind. But for the the rest of us who enjoy gawking at the rich and famous it’s not that special unless you simply want to know as much as possible about the Busch family and their Budweiser beer dynasty. In fact, this one is so lacking in punches - save for the last chapters with the author venting about the state of family relations, business and personal, in the wake of the Anheiser Busch sale to InBev - that it might as well be an officially sanctioned souvenir book sold to brewery tourists.
* Please know that I actually enjoy Bud Light at appropriate times (like when fishing at 9am or watching football in the afternoon) and continue to buy it even after the recent branding brouhaha. No political slight intended against the brand.
That’s basically how I felt soon after plunging into this book. I mistakenly anticipated juicy and salacious tales about, say, acts of unbridled depravity with the hired help that routinely played out behind the gilded walls of the Busch family chateaux. Or maybe revelations of Dad’s regular rendezvous with a young male lover in the back of the Clydesdales’ barn.
Sadly, most of what the reader gets from this one are very thin offerings such as that the author both drank beer and used tobacco at a young age. Big deal. Didn’t we all?
At his self-proclaimed worst, the author once went full Mike Tyson and bit some ear off an opponent in a barroom brawl late one night. He believes his family paid the guy off thereafter. That fact underscores how detached from reality his upbringing truly was. “Yea, I think the guy whose ear I bit off got some money from Dad. But, hey, let’s go play some more polo, guys!” Sheesh.
Much of his young life’s toothache, so to speak, centers on the fact that his Dad was thrice married and emotionally aloof. Stepmom #1 from Switzerland was similarly icy and never the warm, doting type. Stepmom #2 connived to cut the kids off from Dad’s fortunes, though she suddenly and perhaps mercifully died from an aneurysm before able to complete the scheme. No doubt those were challenging family relationships situations to navigate, but they’re really not uncommon.
There was also some “Successsion” type friction as to which child would replace Dad on the throne of the Budweiser kingdom, a divisive leadership change that permanently soured family relations. Again, no big deal there either. Happens all the time with family businesses, whether large, medium, or small.
Honestly, the only story that truly saddened me was the one about the death by automobile accident of both his young sister and a good friend. That terrible day understandably broke his Dad’s heart as well.
Author does seem like an affable guy I’d probably enjoy having a beer with, and his upbringing clearly had challenges. But this book is perhaps best for the author’s descendants,, an audience he admittedly had in mind. But for the the rest of us who enjoy gawking at the rich and famous it’s not that special unless you simply want to know as much as possible about the Busch family and their Budweiser beer dynasty. In fact, this one is so lacking in punches - save for the last chapters with the author venting about the state of family relations, business and personal, in the wake of the Anheiser Busch sale to InBev - that it might as well be an officially sanctioned souvenir book sold to brewery tourists.
* Please know that I actually enjoy Bud Light at appropriate times (like when fishing at 9am or watching football in the afternoon) and continue to buy it even after the recent branding brouhaha. No political slight intended against the brand.
November 8, 2023
While I could have done without the middle section that mostly described their rich and lavish lifestyle, I really enjoyed the history of how AB came to be along with their disappointing sellout in more recent years. This telling is without a doubt one-sided from Billy's perspective, would be interesting to hear the other siblings' takes. One of my main takeaways: more money, more problems.
December 19, 2023
This book was written by a member of the Busch Beer family. The family history and the history of the company that was related in this book was both entertaining and educational. I cannot say that I have a very large interest in beer production, but it was really neat to learn how the company was founded and what all happened within the company over the years. There were wars, family issues, legislation, and other issues that affected the company.
I bought this book simply because I enjoy books about family dynasties (and horses) and I was not disappointed at all. I thought it was well written, providing education, humor, and other emotions. I have the Audible version of this, which lasted around five hours. I listened to it in one day at work. I appreciated the entertainment, and I work much faster when I can listen to something. If you are interested in beer or just in family dynasties, this is a good book to pick up.
I bought this book simply because I enjoy books about family dynasties (and horses) and I was not disappointed at all. I thought it was well written, providing education, humor, and other emotions. I have the Audible version of this, which lasted around five hours. I listened to it in one day at work. I appreciated the entertainment, and I work much faster when I can listen to something. If you are interested in beer or just in family dynasties, this is a good book to pick up.
November 8, 2025
It’s hard to feel sorry for the poor little rich kids but this family puts the dis in dysfunctional. Billy Busch writes mainly about the family but it seems the more salacious stories are white washed or completely avoided. I hope this man is decent because there is just nothing redeeming or genuine about the big picture. The business is barely mentioned. Its ok, but Bitter Brew does a better job of detailing the business and the family.
May 19, 2024
Had some good advice about advertising and creating a personality for your brand… but the end was extremely repetitive and pitying. The stories of the past were much more interesting than Billy’s life and failed (?) solo brewing journey.
August 8, 2023
Find my book review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
This is a memoir by Billy Busch Sr., in his own words, discussing his growing up in one of the most iconic families known across the world. This is the first time a member of the Busch family has released a memoir or really even discussed the family in detail. So this is kind of a ‘big deal’.
The Busch family ruled over the brewing business in America for several decades and was ranked among the wealthiest households. Budweiser has been a staple of the beer market for years upon years in America.
----
Family Reins chronicles the history of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, makers of Budweiser beer as well as other very successful brands ver the years, from its beginnings in 1857 to today. Currently Anheuser-Busch is owned by AB InBev. The author, Billy Busch, is the great – grandson of its original founder, Adolphus Busch, who emigrated from Germany to St. Louis, Missouri. Adolphus established a supply company first, then bought a brewery from Eberhard Anheuser and married his daughter – Lilly Eberhard Anheuser. (They had twelve children). From his great – grandfather to his grandfather, father, and brother, Billy Busch tells the story of how the company survived Prohibition, the Depression, and two World Wars to become a business empire.
Adolphus Busch’s first job in St. Louis was working as a clerk in the commission house. He was also an employee at William Hainrichshofen’s wholesale company. Billy Busch goes into the detail of the family legacy, the history, and the sheer scope of their family. Talking about how the Busch family rose from that first job to the business conglomerate, world spanning empire, that they are today.
---
(Just as a reminder – I was given this book for free in lieu of this review. This did not alter my thoughts or review of the book.)
Find my review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
This is a memoir by Billy Busch Sr., in his own words, discussing his growing up in one of the most iconic families known across the world. This is the first time a member of the Busch family has released a memoir or really even discussed the family in detail. So this is kind of a ‘big deal’.
The Busch family ruled over the brewing business in America for several decades and was ranked among the wealthiest households. Budweiser has been a staple of the beer market for years upon years in America.
----
Family Reins chronicles the history of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, makers of Budweiser beer as well as other very successful brands ver the years, from its beginnings in 1857 to today. Currently Anheuser-Busch is owned by AB InBev. The author, Billy Busch, is the great – grandson of its original founder, Adolphus Busch, who emigrated from Germany to St. Louis, Missouri. Adolphus established a supply company first, then bought a brewery from Eberhard Anheuser and married his daughter – Lilly Eberhard Anheuser. (They had twelve children). From his great – grandfather to his grandfather, father, and brother, Billy Busch tells the story of how the company survived Prohibition, the Depression, and two World Wars to become a business empire.
Adolphus Busch’s first job in St. Louis was working as a clerk in the commission house. He was also an employee at William Hainrichshofen’s wholesale company. Billy Busch goes into the detail of the family legacy, the history, and the sheer scope of their family. Talking about how the Busch family rose from that first job to the business conglomerate, world spanning empire, that they are today.
---
(Just as a reminder – I was given this book for free in lieu of this review. This did not alter my thoughts or review of the book.)
Find my review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
September 3, 2023
Ready to swap your Budweiser for a Bud Lite version of drama? Hold onto your reality TV-loving socks because Family Reins: The Extraordinary Rise and Epic Fall of an American Dynasty serves more family tea than your Aunt Hilda at Thanksgiving! If you're a connoisseur of Kim Kardashian-esque melodrama but also have a thirst for beer lore, this is your chalice of chaos.
Firstly, let's talk credentials: this author didn't just write a report from the bleachers; oh no, he was in the wrestling ring of family dysfunction! Think Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America's Kings of Beer and Dethroning the King: The Hostile Takeover of Anheuser-Busch, an American Icon had the full drama of Anheuser-Busch company car wreck? Those were just the warm-up acts. Our author here was an eye-witness to the family feuds, making this book the VIP backstage pass to Budweiser's multi-generational Jerry Springer episode.
Looking for groundbreaking business insights? Look elsewhere. Try Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over a Beer or Two if you want to learn how to turn hops into dollars. This book's more about turning family gatherings into an episode of "Maury." "You are NOT the responsible business owner!" would be its catchphrase.
As for new dirt on AB and InBev, well, there's not much. Imagine rewatching an old soap opera episode where everyone's still cheating but nobody's gotten caught yet. However, the author serves you a tantalizing dish—what it’s like to be a Richie Rich in America, but with more affairs than a James Bond marathon.
Oh, and about the ear-biting incident that catapulted the author into Mike Tyson levels of "crazy"? Yeah, he glosses over it like it's a salad at a steak dinner. I mean, come on! I had my popcorn ready!
In conclusion, this book might not have you flipping pages like you're swiping through TikTok, but it’s an all-access pass to a very loaded family’s dirty laundry room—which is still more exciting than folding your own laundry. The problems here are so unresolved, they make the Bermuda Triangle look like a solved Rubik's Cube.
The book may not resolve any issues, but it'll certainly make your own family seem a lot more normal!
Firstly, let's talk credentials: this author didn't just write a report from the bleachers; oh no, he was in the wrestling ring of family dysfunction! Think Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America's Kings of Beer and Dethroning the King: The Hostile Takeover of Anheuser-Busch, an American Icon had the full drama of Anheuser-Busch company car wreck? Those were just the warm-up acts. Our author here was an eye-witness to the family feuds, making this book the VIP backstage pass to Budweiser's multi-generational Jerry Springer episode.
Looking for groundbreaking business insights? Look elsewhere. Try Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over a Beer or Two if you want to learn how to turn hops into dollars. This book's more about turning family gatherings into an episode of "Maury." "You are NOT the responsible business owner!" would be its catchphrase.
As for new dirt on AB and InBev, well, there's not much. Imagine rewatching an old soap opera episode where everyone's still cheating but nobody's gotten caught yet. However, the author serves you a tantalizing dish—what it’s like to be a Richie Rich in America, but with more affairs than a James Bond marathon.
Oh, and about the ear-biting incident that catapulted the author into Mike Tyson levels of "crazy"? Yeah, he glosses over it like it's a salad at a steak dinner. I mean, come on! I had my popcorn ready!
In conclusion, this book might not have you flipping pages like you're swiping through TikTok, but it’s an all-access pass to a very loaded family’s dirty laundry room—which is still more exciting than folding your own laundry. The problems here are so unresolved, they make the Bermuda Triangle look like a solved Rubik's Cube.
The book may not resolve any issues, but it'll certainly make your own family seem a lot more normal!
January 3, 2024
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.
I am typically not a fan of celebrity. To be honest- the only reason I decided to read it is because there were a number of years when I lived in PA with my children- we had the distinct pleasure of seeing the Busch family’s Christmas decorations that took up an entire block and folks by the thousands would visit- blocking sidewalks and traffic in the evening during the Christmas season.
Which piece of the family lived there, I have no idea- but it made for a memorable holiday and there was never a box begging for donations to pay what was surely a hefty electric bill before the advent of LED lighting.
The tale told by Billy Busch is compelling from the first chapter to the Epilogue and pages of photos. Never once, does Mr. Busch say “poor pitiful me”. His telling is forthright, upbeat and positive. By his own admission, he had a childhood like no one else I have ever met or heard about. I enjoyed the fact that he knows and understands that with a deep sense of gratitude.
Families and their dynamics and dysfunctions are universal in a strange kind of way. I don’t envy the life he had- I would not have wanted it for my own.
I think my favorite part of the book was the Epilogue where Mr. Busch sums things up for himself, the reader, and his family. He grew up well with the money to make choices that most of us never had to make or could make. He lost a great deal on the road to adulthood.
I am glad I took the time to read this book. I admire and respect this work. It is well done, feels genuine and is cleanly and well written. There is nothing stilted about the writing. It was not filled with typos or self aggrandizement.
Fellow readers- if you pick up this book - I don’t believe you will regret that investment of time. Enjoy it. I did.
I am typically not a fan of celebrity. To be honest- the only reason I decided to read it is because there were a number of years when I lived in PA with my children- we had the distinct pleasure of seeing the Busch family’s Christmas decorations that took up an entire block and folks by the thousands would visit- blocking sidewalks and traffic in the evening during the Christmas season.
Which piece of the family lived there, I have no idea- but it made for a memorable holiday and there was never a box begging for donations to pay what was surely a hefty electric bill before the advent of LED lighting.
The tale told by Billy Busch is compelling from the first chapter to the Epilogue and pages of photos. Never once, does Mr. Busch say “poor pitiful me”. His telling is forthright, upbeat and positive. By his own admission, he had a childhood like no one else I have ever met or heard about. I enjoyed the fact that he knows and understands that with a deep sense of gratitude.
Families and their dynamics and dysfunctions are universal in a strange kind of way. I don’t envy the life he had- I would not have wanted it for my own.
I think my favorite part of the book was the Epilogue where Mr. Busch sums things up for himself, the reader, and his family. He grew up well with the money to make choices that most of us never had to make or could make. He lost a great deal on the road to adulthood.
I am glad I took the time to read this book. I admire and respect this work. It is well done, feels genuine and is cleanly and well written. There is nothing stilted about the writing. It was not filled with typos or self aggrandizement.
Fellow readers- if you pick up this book - I don’t believe you will regret that investment of time. Enjoy it. I did.
October 30, 2023
I really liked the beginning when the author talked about the formation of the business. Then it dissolved into family drama that I was not interested in. The author writes all about how he made a new beer brewing company it was successful until his family sabotaged it. He ironically complains, "if it weren't for my family, we would have succeeded!" I sense that if it weren't for his family he probably wouldn't have gotten off the ground? If your last name is Busch it seems like you don't really get to whine about how you could have a successful beer business if only you had a different family.
February 3, 2024
I picked this one up thinking it might be an interesting history of the Busch family as they built and ran Anheuser-Busch Brewing up until the shocking sale to InBev. But no - those details are just barely scattered through the book and you don’t really learn much business insight at all. Instead, the majority of the book is about the Busch family’s lavish lifestyle and specifically the very unrelatable childhood of Billy Busch. Lots of details about ridiculous birthday parties, private train and yacht trips, and household servants. And also many, many stories about the dysfunction between the various siblings and step-siblings. Not what I expected and didn’t really enjoy reading it.
February 3, 2024
Didn’t learn anything about the brewery success story or building a successful business, written by a rich kid who spent his life playing polo, starting unsuccessful businesses and blaming others. Lot of family dramas and self serving score settling. feels like reading a book from one of the kids in succession, except that succession is well written.
January 4, 2024
A totally self-serving book of the Busch family by one of its least significant members. Trash.
October 13, 2025
Really good book about history of Budweiser dynasty. Listen on drive home and out to Syracuse
January 29, 2024
As a lifelong St. Louisan, I was fascinated to hear (did the audiobook) the first half of the book. The history of the family and the brewery and even the odd childhood of the author. The first half of the book earned 4 stars from me! Then, it proceeds to go downhill.
Beginning in the 2nd half of the book, it is clear that this book is nothing if not a wildly self serving effort on the author's part to get every petty thought off his chest. I understand that a memoir (which is what the 2nd half of this book should be classified as) is logically from the perspective of the person writing, but wowza, this guy has no ability to see beyond his own greedy thoughts.
I tried Kraftig in local bars and at local events when it was newly released (2011/2012), and thought it just tasted like Budweiser. It was fine, but not my favorite. I knew it was from a member of the St. Louis Busch family, but nothing further. It was interesting to learn from the book that he had planned from the get go to have his brewery be nationally competitive. That seems odd to me. Who starts a brewery and immediately goes to that level? I have more than a basic knowledge of running a brewery and the taxing alone of that idea makes it a very weird business decision when you haven't even done test markets at that point. To start guns blazing seems less a solid business decision and more like purely a desire to stick it to InBev.
Later, when he discusses his plot to buy out his siblings shares of Grant's Farm, that's where he really lost stars. He claims his plan made total sense and his siblings were being unrealistic and petty by shutting down his purchase, but he also notes that inbev didn't want other beers sold on the property. He claims that wouldn't have been a problem because InBev was simply leasing 200 acres and the property he wanted to acquire outright was only 22 acres with the homestead on it. Ummm... If InBev doesn't want competition, and they have a lease agreement, don't you think their profitable lease for TWO HUNDRED Acres should outweigh your paltry TWENTY TWO acre deal for your then underwater brewery?! Hmmm... And then he mentions that in 2020 InBev did let go of the lease, as he expected they always would. No mention of the possibility that 2020 was a complete mess and no one was leaving their houses. Maybe it was because they needed to cut costs and a place no one could visit seemed like a good start?
The final kicker was in the epilogue: "I never shared in some of my siblings bitterness or disappointment. Unlike some of them, I never expected anything to be handed to me, even Grant's Farm. I made the offer. It didn't work out. That's how things go. Instead of holding onto bitterness or hate, I just decided to let it go and move on." Soooo, I suppose he doesn't see this book as a testament to his bitterness and hate towards his family members? He thinks he's "just moved on" by writing this book, airing his family's dirty laundry, glossing over his own mistakes and crimes, but bringing up things that he is only SPECULATING happened with other relatives (ex: his nephew being on drugs while running AB)?? He even called out his nieces and nephews from when they were kiddos and had mentioned to him in the car that they were driving past their family's company! He considered that to be egregious bragging! They were kids! Ugh. He just comes across as such an unpleasant person. I don't know any Busches, and now I hope I continue not to know him at least!
Beginning in the 2nd half of the book, it is clear that this book is nothing if not a wildly self serving effort on the author's part to get every petty thought off his chest. I understand that a memoir (which is what the 2nd half of this book should be classified as) is logically from the perspective of the person writing, but wowza, this guy has no ability to see beyond his own greedy thoughts.
I tried Kraftig in local bars and at local events when it was newly released (2011/2012), and thought it just tasted like Budweiser. It was fine, but not my favorite. I knew it was from a member of the St. Louis Busch family, but nothing further. It was interesting to learn from the book that he had planned from the get go to have his brewery be nationally competitive. That seems odd to me. Who starts a brewery and immediately goes to that level? I have more than a basic knowledge of running a brewery and the taxing alone of that idea makes it a very weird business decision when you haven't even done test markets at that point. To start guns blazing seems less a solid business decision and more like purely a desire to stick it to InBev.
Later, when he discusses his plot to buy out his siblings shares of Grant's Farm, that's where he really lost stars. He claims his plan made total sense and his siblings were being unrealistic and petty by shutting down his purchase, but he also notes that inbev didn't want other beers sold on the property. He claims that wouldn't have been a problem because InBev was simply leasing 200 acres and the property he wanted to acquire outright was only 22 acres with the homestead on it. Ummm... If InBev doesn't want competition, and they have a lease agreement, don't you think their profitable lease for TWO HUNDRED Acres should outweigh your paltry TWENTY TWO acre deal for your then underwater brewery?! Hmmm... And then he mentions that in 2020 InBev did let go of the lease, as he expected they always would. No mention of the possibility that 2020 was a complete mess and no one was leaving their houses. Maybe it was because they needed to cut costs and a place no one could visit seemed like a good start?
The final kicker was in the epilogue: "I never shared in some of my siblings bitterness or disappointment. Unlike some of them, I never expected anything to be handed to me, even Grant's Farm. I made the offer. It didn't work out. That's how things go. Instead of holding onto bitterness or hate, I just decided to let it go and move on." Soooo, I suppose he doesn't see this book as a testament to his bitterness and hate towards his family members? He thinks he's "just moved on" by writing this book, airing his family's dirty laundry, glossing over his own mistakes and crimes, but bringing up things that he is only SPECULATING happened with other relatives (ex: his nephew being on drugs while running AB)?? He even called out his nieces and nephews from when they were kiddos and had mentioned to him in the car that they were driving past their family's company! He considered that to be egregious bragging! They were kids! Ugh. He just comes across as such an unpleasant person. I don't know any Busches, and now I hope I continue not to know him at least!
November 4, 2023
Living in St. Louis, MO and knowing a bit about the Busch family, I was anxious to read Billy Busch's book about his family and its ties to St. Louis.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the history of the Anheuser-Busch collaboration into one of the world's largest brewing companies and, more recently, the loss of the company due to a number of decisions made by various Busch family members (i.e. the sale of the company to InBev).
Mr. Busch provided much detail into the "fairy tale" life he and his siblings had growing up in the Busch mansion at Grant's Farm in south St. Louis County. Since I live in the vicinity of the Farm, there were many familiar references made about how popular the Farm was with the St. Louis community. Mr. Busch , a true animal lover, made many references to how important the animals (and their care) were at the Farm. This love continues in his own family, with a large property west of St. Louis where he and his family care for quite a number of different breeds of animals.
The book includes photographs going back in time, along with a "family tree" diagram, which helped immensely while reading the book. Many of the male names are used over and over again from one generation to the next and, along with many marriages and the children from those marriages outlined, so it was quite helpful to have a diagram.
As one can imagine, there was also an abundance of dysfunction in this very large family and Mr. Busch did not hesitate to describe many of the problems which went along with having many siblings, half-siblings, etc.
Though I am not a beer drinker, I very much enjoyed reading about this American dynasty and recommend it to anyone interested in family industries/businesses and what goes on behind the scenes.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the history of the Anheuser-Busch collaboration into one of the world's largest brewing companies and, more recently, the loss of the company due to a number of decisions made by various Busch family members (i.e. the sale of the company to InBev).
Mr. Busch provided much detail into the "fairy tale" life he and his siblings had growing up in the Busch mansion at Grant's Farm in south St. Louis County. Since I live in the vicinity of the Farm, there were many familiar references made about how popular the Farm was with the St. Louis community. Mr. Busch , a true animal lover, made many references to how important the animals (and their care) were at the Farm. This love continues in his own family, with a large property west of St. Louis where he and his family care for quite a number of different breeds of animals.
The book includes photographs going back in time, along with a "family tree" diagram, which helped immensely while reading the book. Many of the male names are used over and over again from one generation to the next and, along with many marriages and the children from those marriages outlined, so it was quite helpful to have a diagram.
As one can imagine, there was also an abundance of dysfunction in this very large family and Mr. Busch did not hesitate to describe many of the problems which went along with having many siblings, half-siblings, etc.
Though I am not a beer drinker, I very much enjoyed reading about this American dynasty and recommend it to anyone interested in family industries/businesses and what goes on behind the scenes.
August 8, 2023
Find my book review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
This is a memoir by Billy Busch Sr., in his own words, discussing his growing up in one of the most iconic families known across the world. This is the first time a member of the Busch family has released a memoir or really even discussed the family in detail. So this is kind of a ‘big deal’.
The Busch family ruled over the brewing business in America for several decades and was ranked among the wealthiest households. Budweiser has been a staple of the beer market for years upon years in America.
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Family Reins chronicles the history of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, makers of Budweiser beer as well as other very successful brands ver the years, from its beginnings in 1857 to today. Currently Anheuser-Busch is owned by AB InBev. The author, Billy Busch, is the great – grandson of its original founder, Adolphus Busch, who emigrated from Germany to St. Louis, Missouri. Adolphus established a supply company first, then bought a brewery from Eberhard Anheuser and married his daughter – Lilly Eberhard Anheuser. (They had twelve children). From his great – grandfather to his grandfather, father, and brother, Billy Busch tells the story of how the company survived Prohibition, the Depression, and two World Wars to become a business empire.
Adolphus Busch’s first job in St. Louis was working as a clerk in the commission house. He was also an employee at William Hainrichshofen’s wholesale company. Billy Busch goes into the detail of the family legacy, the history, and the sheer scope of their family. Talking about how the Busch family rose from that first job to the business conglomerate, world spanning empire, that they are today.
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(Just as a reminder – I was given this book for free in lieu of this review. This did not alter my thoughts or review of the book.)
Find my review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
This is a memoir by Billy Busch Sr., in his own words, discussing his growing up in one of the most iconic families known across the world. This is the first time a member of the Busch family has released a memoir or really even discussed the family in detail. So this is kind of a ‘big deal’.
The Busch family ruled over the brewing business in America for several decades and was ranked among the wealthiest households. Budweiser has been a staple of the beer market for years upon years in America.
----
Family Reins chronicles the history of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, makers of Budweiser beer as well as other very successful brands ver the years, from its beginnings in 1857 to today. Currently Anheuser-Busch is owned by AB InBev. The author, Billy Busch, is the great – grandson of its original founder, Adolphus Busch, who emigrated from Germany to St. Louis, Missouri. Adolphus established a supply company first, then bought a brewery from Eberhard Anheuser and married his daughter – Lilly Eberhard Anheuser. (They had twelve children). From his great – grandfather to his grandfather, father, and brother, Billy Busch tells the story of how the company survived Prohibition, the Depression, and two World Wars to become a business empire.
Adolphus Busch’s first job in St. Louis was working as a clerk in the commission house. He was also an employee at William Hainrichshofen’s wholesale company. Billy Busch goes into the detail of the family legacy, the history, and the sheer scope of their family. Talking about how the Busch family rose from that first job to the business conglomerate, world spanning empire, that they are today.
---
(Just as a reminder – I was given this book for free in lieu of this review. This did not alter my thoughts or review of the book.)
Find my review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2023/08/...
December 12, 2025
It's a perspective. To fully understand what happened one should her to hear perspectives as well.
Interesting to hear how the American aristocrats were living. Obviously, the author is very positive about the life style, but at least he is not hiding the privileged, yet isolated life. Which autobiographies entail. Elephant story is especially telling.
What follows is very interesting and well paced. Every story, if not every line feels meaningful.
The conflicts and relationships in the family would make for a wonderful work of fiction.
His family certainly has it's dysfunctionality, but he seems more than longhoused by his wife near the end. Both of their attitude to child rearing is of course common sensical.
This book is not about the company. Company is covered only in terms of the family members, and briefly even then. It is all about the family behind it.
There is some bitterness and lot of dirty laundry being aired, in this engaging book.
This story affirms my belief that polygamy, extra martial affairs and bunch of step siblings/marriages are a great way to mess up the children. Also, money cannot buy happiness.
Interesting to hear how the American aristocrats were living. Obviously, the author is very positive about the life style, but at least he is not hiding the privileged, yet isolated life. Which autobiographies entail. Elephant story is especially telling.
What follows is very interesting and well paced. Every story, if not every line feels meaningful.
The conflicts and relationships in the family would make for a wonderful work of fiction.
His family certainly has it's dysfunctionality, but he seems more than longhoused by his wife near the end. Both of their attitude to child rearing is of course common sensical.
This book is not about the company. Company is covered only in terms of the family members, and briefly even then. It is all about the family behind it.
There is some bitterness and lot of dirty laundry being aired, in this engaging book.
This story affirms my belief that polygamy, extra martial affairs and bunch of step siblings/marriages are a great way to mess up the children. Also, money cannot buy happiness.
January 31, 2024
What a great overview of the legacy of Anheuser-Busch and the Busch family! Growing up in St Louis, it was just a total feeling of pride that A-B was here in town and provided so many jobs, generosity and good fortune to our area. Such a sad collapse as well. I actually got the opportunity to work there for the last 16 months before the Inbev buyout and you could just really see the fall from grace as the mentioned cost-cutting happened to stave off the buyout (which of course ultimately didn't work). However, the first several months I was there, the "old" A-B was on full display, and I remember just boiling over with pride that I was part of it! There's still a sense of pride of the Anheuser-Busch legacy around here, but I worry that it will die off in the next generation or 2. Unless people like Billy are able to keep it alive! And I hope he is able to! It's just an amazing story. I'm anxious to go try out the new micro-Brewery/distillery that Billy opened up in the area.
April 17, 2024
As a St. Louis native, I was looking forward to read about the Anheuser and Busch families--especially since the cover indicates scandals and the rise and fall of a dynasty (even though the dynasty is still thriving pretty well). To my knowledge, this is the only book about the beer conglomerate that was written by someone in the family, which set the bar high. I was interested in Billy's recounting of his life and the difficult challenges that come with not being able to choose your family. I was slightly disappointed because there wasn't very many shocking stories or scandals like the title sets up, but it was still a good read. There were things that I didn't know about the AB family--like the fact that they lived on Grant's Farm for decades before the zoo bought it. I also didn't know that the family had celebrity ties with Frank Sinatra, LBJ, and others.
I listened to the audio on Hoopla and overall, while there were some disappointing aspects, it was still worth thee 5 hour listen.
I listened to the audio on Hoopla and overall, while there were some disappointing aspects, it was still worth thee 5 hour listen.
August 11, 2023
I didn’t know anything about the Busch family or the history of the Anheuser-Busch company, until I read this book. The title is spot on, as Billy tells the story how the company got started and then the fall when it got brought by another company. I also didn’t know that the company tried and most of the time succeeded on controlling the supply chain for their products.
This book was written by one of the many sons of the Busch family. I have to be honest, and tell you that at some points throughout the book, I was confused as to which Busch was being referred to as most of them had the same names! I had to go back several times to figure it out.
I googled an image of the place they lived at, Grants Farm, and man, that mansion is humongous! They even had other homes throughout the United States. The kids, and there were a lot (as the patriarch was married three times), had Nannie’s and chauffeurs. A fairy tale life indeed!
This book was written by one of the many sons of the Busch family. I have to be honest, and tell you that at some points throughout the book, I was confused as to which Busch was being referred to as most of them had the same names! I had to go back several times to figure it out.
I googled an image of the place they lived at, Grants Farm, and man, that mansion is humongous! They even had other homes throughout the United States. The kids, and there were a lot (as the patriarch was married three times), had Nannie’s and chauffeurs. A fairy tale life indeed!
September 27, 2023
In a lot of ways I’m not sure what i was looking for when i picked this up on the Libby app. I have interests in beer and brewing history and the legacy of the Busch family is something of a monolith. There were things I throughly enjoyed in regards to Billy Busch’s timeline of events and some of the more fantastical and dramatic moments in the that era of the family’s history. I understand that it being in somewhat autobiographical fashion that the story would bring us to modern day events and I kind of just found it all to be the trivial whining of a rich person with a messed up family. When he likened his own familial business dealing to that of the show Succession I felt that it was the perfect analogy needing little else to add yet somehow it continued. All in all I’m not upset i read this but given the opportunity to read it again I think I would pass.
September 10, 2024
I found this book incredibly interesting in regard to the history of the Busch family. Being a St. Louis native, perhaps I should’ve known more about the backstory of the Anheuser Busch legacy. But, I’m glad to say this book helped fill in the gaps of my knowledge. On the other hand, I did find the author to be unaware of his privilege on more than one occasion. Sure, him being born into a ridiculously wealthy family is not his fault. But, did he really have to use the words “servants,” “butlers,” etc. when referring to his staff? I just found it cringy. On the other hand, I have to applaud Billy for almost starting anew with his own nuclear family. He seems very passionate about his family, their legacy, and the brand. Overall decent book.
September 29, 2023
If you've read Prince Harry's "Spare," you'll experience déjà vu when you read "Family Reins," the tale of a clueless, privileged dolt who marries a manipulative, divisive spouse and blames his family for his problems.
Billy plays the victim well, choosing to alienate himself from his family because they allegedly treat him and his wife poorly. Sound familiar?
He also claims his wife Christi has always loved him for him and not his money and famous family. Sure, Billy. I'll bet Prince Harry thinks the same thing about Meghan.
Tellingly, though Billy espouses family values, he fails to mention his oldest daughter Scarlett from a previous relationship. Guess she's not "family."
Billy plays the victim well, choosing to alienate himself from his family because they allegedly treat him and his wife poorly. Sound familiar?
He also claims his wife Christi has always loved him for him and not his money and famous family. Sure, Billy. I'll bet Prince Harry thinks the same thing about Meghan.
Tellingly, though Billy espouses family values, he fails to mention his oldest daughter Scarlett from a previous relationship. Guess she's not "family."
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