Brew Masters Private Reserve
Anheuser-Busch

Brew Masters Private ReserveBrew Masters Private Reserve
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From:
Anheuser-Busch
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
American Lager
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 17.19%
Reviews:
104
Ratings:
121
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 05, 2022
Added:
Nov 13, 2005
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  3
Decades ago, Budweiser brewmasters started a tradition. During the holidays, they'd collect the purest liquid from the brewing kettles; pre-sparged, first wort. This first stock - unusually smooth and rich despite its robust alcohol - was reserved for A-B friends and family, until now. Note from the brewers: this an all-malt beer; NO rice or corn. Imported hops. 20 Plato. It's also a completely different recipe than Budweiser.
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Ratings by taez555:
Photo of taez555
Reviewed by taez555 from Vermont

3.23/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
1 quart 14.5 fluid ounces, are you kidding? That's 46.5 ounces? At 8.5% alcohol, that's some serious beer. To start with, love the box it comes in, not to mention the cool swing-top bottle. Definitely a cool presentation.

This beer poured a bright orange/yellow body with a decent white head.

Nose is rather subdued for such a big beer. Sort of a mild sugary caramel and candy like malt. There's a slight sting from the bigger alcohol but for the most part very mellow.

Taste is light to medium bodied. MIld fresh malt, very light caramel and sweet dough flavors dominate. A very mild bitterness gives this beer just enough balance without ever showing a true "bitter" quality. A little bit of sting from the alcohol as well as some nice warming touches. The finish is what really says "budweiser", I'm not sure how else to describe it as if it's a cop out, but it has this strong lingering macro taste in the finish that lingers for some time.

Honestly I'm amazed someone made a beer this big without making it BIG. Light body and little flavor outside of your typical bud. I really wanted to like this beer, I didn't even mind the $13 price tag, but really it's just a novelty that seems intended for Bud drinkers who want something fancy to drink around the holidays and not a beer for the Craft brew market.
Apr 06, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.63 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Jun 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.87 by Fishwhisperer from Michigan

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by harryhops from Delaware

Jan 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by Lare453 from Florida

Feb 22, 2015
 
Rated: 1.75 by SoCalBeerIdiot from California

Dec 02, 2014
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

1.75/5  rDev -49.9%
I was lucky enough to taste a 2006 Vintage at a bottle share. I'm hoping that was simply past its prime, because the beer tasted a lot like bran cereal soaking in water. Not something I want a liter of.....
Dec 02, 2014
Photo of SD-Alefan
Rated by SD-Alefan from South Dakota

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
Bottle (2007)
Had a 5oz. sample
Held up surprisingly well.
Lots of nicely-rounded malt flavors, some dark fruit and a bit of leather.
Not bad.
Oct 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.48 by rpbisaillon from New York

Aug 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by bzach from Indiana

Nov 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Oct 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by tadmuchowski from District of Columbia

Jun 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Jason from Massachusetts

Jan 12, 2013
Photo of ehammond1
Reviewed by ehammond1

3.47/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle (2006)

Thanks for opening this with me, UCLABrewN84!

(Aged for 6 years)

Clear light amber with some carbonation and a small white head that leaves dots of lace down the glass.

Sweet, fruity aroma of apple juice and bready malt.

The sweet flavors are similar to the aroma, with an earthy and sweet apple juice flavor playing the largest role along with bread and simple grain. Low bitterness.

Medium bodied with low carbonation.

Good enough, and far better than I anticipated.
Jun 13, 2012
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.58/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle I brought to share at DarthKostrizer's tasting.

2006 vintage.

Pours a clear brown with a khaki head that settles to a thin cap on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, apple juice/cider, and some slight vegetal aromas. Taste is the same along with some slight brown sugar flavors. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is actually a pretty good beer that has held up for 6 or so years. If I was given this blind, I would never guess it was an AB product.
Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by MrVonzipper from California

Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by imperialking from Illinois

May 31, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by alalvarez75 from New York

Mar 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by bonbini26 from New Jersey

Jan 10, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by rab53 from Washington

Nov 22, 2011
Brew Masters Private Reserve from Anheuser-Busch
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 121 ratings