Budweiser American Ale
August 20, 2008 9:52 am Beer News
Way back in May, I posted a photo of the newest addition to the Anheuser-Busch profile, the Budweiser American Ale. At the time I didn’t really post any thoughts on it. One, because it was the weekend of the Heritage Festival and I was pretty busy and two, because while trying a beer in the AB tasting room is nice, there’s something nicer about tasting it at your own leisure at your own home.
So a couple of weeks ago I received the press kit from AB containing not only two bottles of Budweiser American Ale, but a pint glass, two Budweisers and the new Budweiser glass as well. Not to mention it was packaged up in a very nifty box. It’s amazing what millions of dollars for marketing will get you.
As for my thoughts on the beer, well I’m going to try and avoid a full fledged review, because honestly my opinion doesn’t really mean much. The first thing I noticed when I smelled the beer is just how much malt aroma I picked up. It’s mostly a bready smelling malt, with a bit of caramel aroma as well. I also picked up a lot of citrusy Cascade as well. I don’t know if the recipe as been reformulated a bit more or if I just received a really fresh sample but the hops really came through more on this one than it did when I tasted it in May.
The aroma carries right through to the flavor, bready and slightly hoppy, but never overly bitter. The dry hopping seems to have done it’s job well as you can really pick up that hop flavor without being overpowered by the bitterness. My biggest complaint was the carbonation level, it was far too carbonated for my taste. I thought it could have a touch less carbonation and it would make for an easier drinking beer on the whole.
I guess my way of fully judging a beer is if I’d ever do one of two things: buy a six-pack of it and/or buy it while I’m in a restaurant. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d ever buy a six-pack of it. That’s not to say it’s a bad beer, in fact it’s a very nice sessionable beer. But I personally prefer something with just a bit more character.
Now, being this is St. Louis and trying to find a beer in a restaurant that isn’t AB is sometimes I challenge I’d probably say that if this is available at a restaurant with a limited beer selection, I’d probably make this one my first choices. In fact, I’d probably go so far to choose this over Schlafly Pale Ale and New Belgium’s Fat Tire as I think this beer has a bit more character than both of those.
If you haven’t had the chance to try this beer yet, you’ll have your opportunity very soon. This beer is scheduled to be released on September 15th on draught and September 29th in bottles. As soon as I know where this will be available in the area, I’ll post it here. If you’ve tried the beer, let me know your thoughts.
Tags: anheuser-busch, budweiser american ale, new belgium, schlafly
BMock :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 10:03 am
We tried this at the July STL Brews meeting. I remember it as being more “flat” taste-wise than your description, so maybe trying some when it comes out would be a good move. I don’t remember any dry-hopped character. It was something similar to a slightly lighter version of Sam Adams Boston Ale.
I’ll try it. It might be a good option during AB promotions at Applebee-ish restaurants.
cubby_swans :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 10:09 am
where the heck do I get a press kit like that? It’s pretty slick.
Sam H :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 11:04 am
I can’t wait to try this, the lure of cascade hops in an AB product excites me.
Also, +1 on the jealousy of the press kit. Maybe if I start my own “beer review blog” I can snag cool kits like that……….
nah, just wait until the kit comes out as a “limited edition” set
scottyp :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
i’ll try it for sure. buy a sixer? most likely not. but i would love to try this on tap.
Derek Bean :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
I tried a sample bottle of it a week or so; and, I suppose my thoughts are similar to yours, Mike. It’s a good, solid beer, but just not my cup of tea. I tend to like beers that are much hoppier than this. I would call this beer super-balanced–no noticeable Cascade hop flavor to me at all. But, similar to what you said, Mike, if I was at a bar that only served A-B beers (which is absurd, ‘cuz I never am!), and they had this beer, this would be the one I would drink all night. I kind of thought of this as a better version of Fat Tire.
Sam, don’t get your hopes up too high. If I had to judge this beer in a blind taste test, I would have never guessed it to be dry-hopped.
Kevin Adams :
Date: August 22, 2008 @ 7:28 am
I haven’t tried AB’s American Ale yet, but I will agree that Fat Tire doesn’t have much character.
Derek Bean :
Date: August 22, 2008 @ 9:36 am
By the way, I saw a TV commercial for this beer last night and it was a refreshing change from their normal marketing. Very good commercial, I thought. I also like the funky shaped bottle and the packaging. Although, someone pointed out (on BA, I think) that the packaging is very reminiscent of Red Hook’s packaging.
Shawn, the Beer Philosopher :
Date: August 22, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Mike,
I think your pseudo-review is right on the money. Oddly, the first of the two bottles I sampled didn’t have the dry-hopped nose I wanted. The second was obvious right after I pryed off the crown … what? Yes, a pry-top A-B product! I don’t know if it was my mood, or the setting, but the second bottle impressed me.
I don’t believe this to be a groundbreaking beer by a long shot, but it is a solid, sessionable amber ale. Give this to a craft amber drinker and they’ll dig it. I guess I’m a little fonder of NB’s Fat Tire than most of your readers, but I found this one to be comparable in terms of quality. I favor Fat Tire’s “yeasty” character.
All in all, A-B has a decent amber ale on their hands here … let’s see what they do with it. Better yet, let’s see if any craft beer devotees have anything to do with it at all …
Winwolf :
Date: August 22, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
I just received a sixer of this as a test yesterday, put it in the fridge overnight, and sampled a bottle with my neighbor. I’m not a beer guy normally, although I occasionally tip back a brew after a rough day, or, like today in St. Lou, a VERY humid day. It was in the sample pack handed out yesterday to employees/contractors at AB (Yes, I’m a contractor there, but I’ll keep this as objective as possible being that AB do pay my bills)
I’m a fan of Amber brews to begin with, along with stout beers (no names)
I found this to be pretty solid as well, especially when getting to the end of it, no bitterness to be found, and not much of an aftertaste. I think I’d drink it again if given the chance, and would order it at dinner, even if I didn’t work at AB.
Derek Bean :
Date: August 24, 2008 @ 12:31 am
Tried the new Michelob Dunkel Weisse & Irish Red today–both pretty good. Also, really like the new look of the packaging for these Michelob beers. The Irish Red had a surprising, nice hoppy flavor.
Thomas :
Date: August 28, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Just tried the beer today. First off, let me state that I am not a beer drinker. I just started working for A-B and I figured, “Well, I am working for them, why don’t I start to drink some of their beer.”
I went up to our CRG (Customer Relationship Group) floor and tried it. It was different. it did have a citrus taste to it but it didn’t taste like Bud Light. For me, I could stand the taste of this beer compared to Bud Light or Bud Light Lime. It was a full, very rich taste. I did this about an hour ago and after drinking half a cup and a tall glass of Hot Chocolate later, I can still taste a strong hint of American Ale on my lips and in my mouth. In my opinion, this is a beer that has my vote, I will try this when it comes out. For my defense, I am a Beer N00b!
oracio macias :
Date: September 10, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
when is the beer be in stores
Paul :
Date: September 10, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
The Amererican Ale I am told is scheduled for draft release the week of September 15 and the following week in package for us retailers.
Paul
http://www.thewineandcheeseplace.blogspot.com
willbilly :
Date: September 13, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
Was not impressed. Being an AB employee, I still wouldn’t recommend it to anyone
Man E Fresh :
Date: September 15, 2008 @ 8:50 am
I live a few miles from the Newark brewery which means that I won’t see Bud Ale till the end of next spring. This area seems to be last in getting new products. I just had Shock Top,a beligium white ale, which was surprisingly good.
Thank You Derek Bean for your comments on the new Michelob beers.
b.miles :
Date: September 20, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
i havent had this beer or ale yet im still wateing for it to get here in indiana sure hope it gets here soon im thirsty!lol ive drink amber bock a few times good beer jw.dundee,sam adams,they are good beers to but i really want to try this new budale thats out somebody send me 1 soon thankyou!
C. Marroquin :
Date: September 24, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
When I saw the commercials for AB’s American Ale I was extremely excited and couldn’t wait till it came out. When I finally got a chance to pick up a six pack last night, well, I was just as disappointed as when I picked up my first six pack of AB’s Select. Don’t get me wrong I finished my sixer and rather enjoyed it but it was just lacking so much, I wish they would’ve taken a chance and created a true ale, rather than playing it safe and leaving us with a lackluster brew.
C. Marroquin :
Date: September 24, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
Oh by the way….the bottles are awesome, very vintage looking and heavy, good if you ever get in a bar fight.
b.miles :
Date: September 27, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
i finally got my six pack of ab ale i thought it taste very,very good cant wait till i get my next one some people just dont no good beer when they taste it every one i shared it with said it was good to thanks ab just keep on makeing it i will drank it.b.miles
James Haggart :
Date: October 14, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
during my 10 years in the Marine Corps, I was able to travel to 18 different countries and sample many different ales. I think American Ale by Budweiser is the very best. Semper Fi