-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IXS6ACTHlicLF1Zz4tl/0q64bL7SbjpWAqFC6W7VoD8qn5OCkRjUEQjz2pBG0UMh
 R0G/AMGsMEgIgSPAmKBMoA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000310569-04-000103.txt : 20040401
<SEC-HEADER>0000310569-04-000103.hdr.sgml : 20040401
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040401152021
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000310569-04-000103
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040331
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040401

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANHEUSER BUSCH COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000310569
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MALT BEVERAGES [2082]
		IRS NUMBER:				431162835
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BUSCH PL
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63118-1852
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3147656565

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BUSCH PL
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63118-1852

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JACOB JOHN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001142403

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07823
		FILM NUMBER:		04709368

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		ONE BUSCH PLACE
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63118-1852
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3147656565

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		ONE BUSCH PLACE
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63118-1852
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000310569</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ANHEUSER BUSCH COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BUD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001142403</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JACOB JOHN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE BUSCH PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63118-1852</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Ex. VP - Global Communications</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock ($1 par value)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>96264</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock ($1 par value)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4417</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(K) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>51</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>51.035</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>51</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11776</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5167</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In connection with the Rights Agreement adopted by the Company, Preferred Stock Purchase Rights were distributed to shareholders and are deemed to be attached to the shares of Common Stock of the Company listed on this Form.  One-quarter of a Preferred Stock Purchase Right is attached to each share of common stock.  If and when the Rights become exercisable, the holder of each Right initially would be entitled to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series Junior B Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $195 (both the number of fractional shares and the purchase price are subject to adjustment).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Based on latest plan statement as of September 30, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This security converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Phantom Stock Units acquired pursuant to the Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.  Payable in cash triggered by the earliest of the following:  (1)  the date specified by the reporting person, payable in either a lump sum or equal quarterly installments over a period not to exceed ten (10) years as selected by the reporting person; (2) death, payable in a lump sum; or (3) a Change of Control, payable in a lump sum.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Anheuser-Busch 401(K) Restoration Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Laura H. Reeves, Attorney-in-Fact for John E. Jacob</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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