Will Lucky Buddha Beer Be the Next Bud?
Asian-style suds are picking up steam in the U.S.
— -- There is an ancient quote attributed to Buddha that states "happiness never decreases by being shared." Now one brewery is applying that line of thought to an Asian novelty drink rapidly gaining popularity in the U.S.
Meet Lucky Buddha beer, a crisp pale ale bottled at the Thousand Island Lake in China that is catching eyes -- and increasingly more distributors in the West -- with its unique packaging: a smiling, Buddha-shaped bottle.
"I use them as vases after I drink them," one fan mused online.
The unorthodox shape of the Lucky Buddha drinking vessel is definitely setting it apart on shelves at Target and BevMo!, and that has translated to increasing sales. Revenue was four times higher in 2014 than it was in 2013, according to a spokesman.
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Currently available in 48 states, representatives for the company told ABC News that Lucky Buddha plans to expand to all 50 by 2015. It's also gaining visibility at events like the recent Wanderlust Festival in Aspen, Colo.
"Lucky Buddha's producing a Texas college football tailgate party featuring the Lucky Buddha Airstream Trailer during the month of October 2014," said spokesman Matt David, adding that the company is also "participating in a Yelp event on September 5th in Los Angeles."
Whether the beer's luck will run out after that, only Buddha knows.