LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) -- Budweiser's newest beer labels are reminding Virginians of its state motto, “Thus Always to Tyrants.”
Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, started a marketing campaign that features new labels for its beer packaging in the 11 states where the company has breweries, including Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Georgia.
The Budweiser name on beer cans and bottles will be replaced by the state's name, which the company told The Richmond-Times Dispatch, is a tribute to the communities that have brewed up its top-selling beer for generations.
Their facility in James City County is about 1.2 million sq. ft. and has about 580 employees.
"Our new state bottles and cans celebrate the homes of our breweries and the communities that support them," said Ricardo Marques, vice president of Budweiser, in a statement released by the company.
The company's slogan "King of Beers" is being swapped on the labels with each state's motto.
In Virginia, that's “Thus Always to Tyrants.”
The motto is printed in English instead of the Latin "Sic Semper Tyrannis," which is on the Great Seal of Virginia, along with a figure of Virtus, the goddess of virtue, who holds a spear and rests her foot on the chest of a supine figure representing tyranny.
The special labels will be on packaging in Virginia through September.
Labels will also include other patriotic elements, such as lyrics to the National Anthem.