The Untold Truth Of The Busch Family Brewed

"The Busch Family Brewed," an MTV reality series that aired its first season in 2020, chronicles the lives and business ventures of Billy Busch Sr., his wife, Christi Busch, and their seven children. William K "Billy" Busch is a third-generation beermaker and heir to the Anheuser-Busch legacy. His great-grandfather, Adolphus Busch, was a co-founder of the beer company alongside Eberhard Anheuser. Despite being ousted from Anheuser-Busch during a 2008 takeover, Billy Busch Sr. has remained determined to carve out a name for himself in the industry.

The Busch family offers a captivating glimpse into the world of wealth and privilege, making it an intriguing subject for reality TV. Although "The Busch Family Brewed" has not yet been renewed for a second season, the show possesses all the elements of a successful reality series: a large cast of interesting characters, an engaging backstory, and, of course, plenty of money. Most of the action unfolds in the family's sprawling mansion in St. Louis, as well as their luxurious "farm" outside the city, which features a lake and is almost as extravagant.

In the show's inaugural episode, Billy Jr. and Christi discuss their deep appreciation for family unity, with Christi stating, "Family is everything to me, and I want them to remain close forever." So, what exactly do we know about this unique family? Let's dive into the untold truths about "The Busch Family Brewed."

Christi Busch's Decision to Delay the Show

When "The Busch Family Brewed" began filming, the youngest of the seven children, Peter Busch, was just 12 years old. The rest of the kids were in their teens and twenties, which was a conscious choice made by Billy and Christi. Their daughter, Haley Busch, shared that the family had been approached in the past about doing a reality show, but they felt it was too early, as the children were too young. Christi emphasized, "We wanted the kids to grow up and be normal and have a childhood and not be in the public eye." This notion of "normal" can be quite relative, especially when you're part of the Busch family.

Christi, who did not grow up wealthy, has always sought to instill a sense of balance within her family. She wishes for her children to be "very humble, very kind to everybody." Throughout the first season, this desire for humility shines through, despite the family's extravagant lifestyle. Waiting for their children to grow older before starting the show raised the stakes in terms of drama, as Christi noted, "Bigger kids, bigger problems." Consequently, the reality series showcases the kids navigating adult relationships, college experiences, and traveling, rather than simply engaging in soccer games and playdates.

One Child is Missing from the Show

While the Busch family may seem large with seven children, the show notably lacks the presence of Billy Busch Sr.'s firstborn, Scarlett Busch. Scarlett is the result of a relationship Billy had with a woman named Angela Whitson. Although it appears they were never married, their co-parenting journey took a tumultuous turn when Scarlett was just five years old. Reports indicate that Billy brought Scarlett home for a visit but refused to return her, leading to a court case where both parents accused each other of neglect. Ultimately, the court awarded full custody to Billy Sr. in 1989 due to Whitson's struggles with addiction.

Over the years, a significant estrangement developed between Billy and Scarlett. This became apparent in 2021 when Billy attempted to purchase Grant's Farm, a historic family-owned landmark. He expressed intentions to carry on the Busch family legacy through this acquisition. However, Scarlett voiced her discontent on social media, stating, "It's hard to believe that after the neglect and abandonment of his oldest daughter, that his family legacy is truly that important to him or that he values family the way he claims." This statement sheds light on the complexities of family dynamics within the Busch household.

Billy Busch Sr.'s Controversial Past

In addition to family tensions, Billy Busch Sr. has faced accusations of misconduct. In March 2018, NBC News reported that he was charged with assault for allegedly pushing an 11-year-old boy against a wall during his son Peter's basketball practice. The incident occurred after Peter got into an altercation with another boy. Witnesses indicated that Billy intervened upon seeing the other child strike his son.

The boy claimed he was pushed against the wall, resulting in a head injury and a bleeding nose. In response, Billy's attorney stated that "school personnel failed to react, so he did what every parent would have done in that situation." By May 2018, a plea deal was reached, with Billy pleading guilty to a peace disturbance charge. The boy's family expressed satisfaction with Billy's acknowledgment of his wrongdoing. This incident wasn't an isolated event; during the early 1980s, Billy faced other physical altercations but avoided serious repercussions.

The Family's Financial Downfall

The Busch family's financial legacy is significant, yet it has encountered challenges. Adolphus Busch, Billy's great-grandfather, entered the beer industry in the 1860s and built a thriving empire. However, by 2008, about 25% of Anheuser-Busch's stock had been sold off, making the company vulnerable to a takeover. This vulnerability was exploited when Belgian brewing giant InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch for approximately $52 billion in an all-cash deal.

While Billy Sr. had never worked at Anheuser-Busch, he sought to establish his own brewing brand in 2011 with the opening of Kräftig Brewery. Unfortunately, this venture faced closure in July 2019, prompting Billy to express his passion for brewing and desire to return to the industry. He hinted at new developments through social media, suggesting that the Busch legacy may not be over yet.

Haley Busch's Relationship Challenges

In the inaugural episode of "The Busch Family Brewed," Haley Busch was portrayed as nurturing, largely because of her long-term relationship with high school sweetheart Clark Costello. After eight years of dating, Haley and Clark prepared for a trip to Europe, during which her family speculated that a marriage proposal might occur. However, despite the pressure from Haley's brothers, no proposal materialized.

Their relationship faced strain when Haley proposed the idea of making a long-distance relationship work, as she wanted to return to Los Angeles for her acting career. Clark's response, emphasizing his obligations, left Haley feeling frustrated, leading her to request a break. As tensions escalated, Billy Busch Sr. felt compelled to confront Clark about his treatment of Haley. Despite the intervention, Clark's reluctance to engage left Billy feeling uneasy about the situation. Given recent social media activity, it appears that Haley and Clark have not reconciled.

The Significance of Names in the Busch Family

August "Gussie" Busch, the second son of Billy Busch Sr., embodies the quintessential "guy's guy." He embraces a lifestyle filled with activities like fishing, hunting, and sports, and even played football for the University of Alabama. Interestingly, the Busch family has a tradition of naming family members August, making for a complex family tree.

August Busch IV, Billy's half-nephew, stands out due to his legal troubles, including fleeing the scene of a car accident and leading police on a chase. Despite these incidents, he was acquitted. It remains to be seen how the legacy of the Busch family will continue, especially with the youngest August, who appears to be maintaining a cleaner reputation.

Jake Fusia: An Honorable Mention

In Season 1 of "The Busch Family Brewed," a family friend named Jake Fusia was introduced. Though not a blood relative, Jake has been welcomed into the family fold, especially by Billy Jr. and Gussie. His friendship with Billy Jr. started in college, and he humorously describes himself as "the eighth kid that they probably did not want to have."

Jake's professional journey has intertwined with the Busch family's brewing aspirations, as he worked for the now-defunct brewing company. He also participated in taste-testing beer for the new brewery venture, indicating his likely involvement in future projects. Friendship is a strong theme for Jake, as he believes it holds an equal importance to family. His remarks about friendship resonate deeply within the family dynamic presented in the show.

A Unique Family Tradition: The Art Collection

The Busch children share a unique bond with their mother through a heartfelt family tradition. Each child has a portrait depicting themselves alongside Christi Busch, their mother, hanging on their bedroom walls. The story behind this tradition stems from Christi's realization that she appeared in few family photos and wanted to ensure her presence remained a part of their lives.

With humorous undertones, Christi explained that the portraits serve a dual purpose: to keep her memory alive and to prevent her children from bringing girls into their rooms. The kids, while finding the tradition a bit strange, recognize its significance and agree it reflects their mother's love and dedication.

Owning Clydesdale Horses: A Family Legacy

Clydesdale horses have become synonymous with the Busch family, deeply intertwined with their history and identity. These majestic creatures are a staple of Budweiser's branding and have been featured prominently