Mumbai: Crown Beers India, the joint venture between Anheuser-Busch and Crown International, has launched the globally renowned beer brand, Budweiser, in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In May this year the company had launched its premium beer brand Armstrong.

The company will manufacture both brands at its brewery in Andhra Pradesh.

Beer accounts for 25 per of liquor consumption in Andhra Pradesh, while in Maharashtra it stands at 60 per cent.

Company executives said Andhra Pradesh was a natural choice because the company''s brewery is based there.

Crown Beers has plans of going pan-India but will first get a foothold in the southern and western regions.

Budweiser is currently sold in hotels, retail outlets in Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai.

Crown Beers is planning massive below-the-line activities to make its presence felt in the market.