This Bud’s For the Winnipeg Jets

Budweiser is hoping to put the "win" back in "Winnipeg" by rallying fan support for Canada's latest NHL franchise.

Canada has plenty of good beers of its own but the nation’s latest entry into the NHL, the new version of the Winnipeg Jets, will have a beer sponsorship that couldn’t get more American: Budweiser.

Anheuser-Busch InBev also produces Labatt, but Bud will be the beer to have when fans pile in to attend the inaugural season of the Jets, when they play the Montreal Canadiens in a home opener on Sunday, according to NHL.com. (The official beer of the entire NHL is Molson Canadian.)

Jets ownership True North Sports and Entertainment and Labatt Breweries of Canada made the announcement (at right) on Monday.

“Budweiser — one of the world’s leading sports brands, and the number one beer in Canada, is thrilled to become the official sponsor of the Winnipeg Jets and a proud partner of the team,” stated Charlie Angelakos, vice-president of Labatt Breweries Canada, according to ChrisD.com. “Love of hockey runs deep here, and Budweiser will be there every step of the way to celebrate with fans.”

Jets players showed up with special jerseys with the numbers 10 and 3 in order to commemorate the 10/3 date of the announcement. Also, special versions of Bud cans have been produced for the team that feature the words “Winnipeg Jets” and a QR code running up the side, which will be available the third week of October. Jets blogger Michael Remis posted a sneak peek on his Twitter feed:

To commemorate the season kickoff, Budweiser has created a site, Budweiser.ca/7, on which fans can write words of encouragement for the team.

There's also a Facebook push on the Budweiser Canada page, where fans have been rallying ever since the first nod to the Jets in a Bud Canada commercial earlier this year: