Bud Dry - Anheuser-Busch

changeup45

Florida

1.5/5  rDev -39%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Pretty much on par with their other selections. So it looks like all other Bud beers, pretty much tastes like them, grainy, watery, corn and not good. Very pale looking and when poured generates a modest white head that fizzles away quickly. Perhaps a touch dry, I guess. I don't know, it's supposed to, right?

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 19:11:32 | More by changeup45

Dmann

California

2.78/5  rDev +13%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I always remember the "why ask why, try bud dry" commercials from my youth and now I finally found some of the beer, and why oh why did I buy it? Pure nostalgia! The beer poured a straw like yellow color with a slight head that faded very fast. Smelt of grain and sweet corn with a slight hint of skunk thrown in as well. The flavor and the mouthfeel were actually not bad for what it is, it is very dry in the finish and less malty than I was expecting it to be. Truth be told, it's better than Busch and if I was in a pinch and needed some cheap libations this would be a viable choice...just don't go all over town trying to track it down, it's not that good!

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2008 08:35:25 | More by Dmann

mandolzinn

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +82.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

As a recent college graduate, I am unable to afford the ESBs and pale ales I would love to be drinking. For most of my college career, if faced with a selection of macros, or the desire to drink with near-empty pockets, my first choice was always PBR.

Bud dry costs less than $6.50 for a 12 pack--less than many brands of bottled water--and actually tastes pretty decent. By far the best flavor and quality in its price range.

In my opinion, in taste, mouthfeel and drinkability, bud dry easily out-ranks most other AB products, especially the other "Bud" labeled products.

After a night of relatively heavy partying (i.e. a 12 pack of bud dry each) with my girlfriend recently, we both woke up with only the slightest hangover.

in conclusion: try bud dry. It's not great beer, but at $6.23, beer it is.

Serving type: can

07-11-2008 01:29:12 | More by mandolzinn

jwc215

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours straw yellow with a thin white head that descends to a vanishing patch. Glass is left clean. Typical macro look, at best.

The smell is clean...very, very clean. Can't smell "bad" if it doesn't smell. There may be a hint of something "beerish", but it's certainly mild.

Same with the taste. Clean. Maybe a hint of grain? Not sweet, though. Dry, as advertised. Clean, crisp...finish (of course, it didn't much start, but...) Can't taste "off" or "bad" if it doesn't "taste".

Well, they have the "dry" part down. Smooth, dry and clean as a whistle. I easily drank a few of these, as it was a hot summer day. Inoffensive, and refreshingly dry. I prefer my beers to have taste, though, so I'm not planning on going back to this one. If you're into flavorless, easy-drinking, beers, go for it...(compared to some other macros, it could be worse - could be better, too though.)

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2008 03:13:31 | More by jwc215

whyaskwhybuddry

North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +89%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I drink this beer whenever I can. We know of only one magic location that has this within 200 miles of Raleigh, where I live. It is definitely worth the drive to obtain this refreshing beverage. We usually buy the store out whenever we visit it. This beer is excellent for tailgating, and has mojo'd the Carolina Hurricanes to several wins this year. This beer pours wonderfully(straight down your throat), and has a nice aroma, not unlike the most awesome thing you have ever smelled(whatever that may be, it varies from person to person). Mouthfeel got a 4 because it tastes so great that I can't help but swallow it down, much like when you are eating lobster or filet mignon. I have never seen the color of Bud Dry as I am compelled to transfer it straight from the container to my mouth, but I imagine the color to be much like a rainbow, encompassing the best of each part of the spectrum. If you are looking for a good time, add Bud Dry to your party. Also, if you see it anywhere in the state of NC, please send me a note. Thanks!

Serving type: can

04-18-2008 20:15:01 | More by whyaskwhybuddry

mynie

Indiana

1.43/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A strange beer to search for, I know, but I've been wanting to try Bud Dry ever since I was 7 years old. Yes, 7. Back when the smell of beer was absolutely repugnant and the thought of being drunk terrified me nearly as much as the thought of being dead. For some reason, those lame Bud Dry commercials really appealed to me. The slogan--"Why Ask Why; Try Bud Dry"--stuck in my head. It just seemed neat, somehow. Not quite cool or appetizing. Just neat.

It was 9 more years until I was of the age that I would want to drink, and by that point Bud Dry had been pulled off the national stage and (to the best of my knowledge) was available only in it native Texas. I've never been to Texas. So, umm, that's that.

But then I saw a thirty pack of this just sitting in a cooler in Dickeyville, WI when I was on a New Glarus run. 12 bucks? Sure, what the hell. Someone will drink it.

Regular old AB pour. Light gold, almost seltzery. No head.

Smells like AB funk grain with the teeniest tiniest hint of hop and a little acrid kiss of exceedingly dry rubbing alcohol (hence the name? Probably not.)

Tastes almost exactly like it smells. Not even as tolerable as Bud Heavy. Like old, stale Bud Ice that's had a little cheap gin added to it.

It went down okay, consider its awful taste. And I didn't get any of the trademark AB stomach cramps. But this is still a subpar beer, even for its price. You can get Old Style, Pabst, Red Dog, and Special Export for cheaper.

Serving type: can

03-23-2008 17:32:44 | More by mynie

skeetermoses

Oklahoma

1.85/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

I have to admit that this one is much like the bud ice beer that is also offered by Budwieser, I cannot say that this one is a great or even good beer, I would have to say to my students who are over 18 that this is a some what decent beer to get wasted on.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 09:00:09 | More by skeetermoses

Rddymk

Indiana

3/5  rDev +22%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Seemed darker than other 'dry' beers I've tried. Purchased at CVS for 11.99 a 30 pack. I put three in the freezer to have right away. Bad decision. After the other 27 chilled for 3 days I was satisfied. The beer had a tremendously easy, or should I say, acceptable adjunt quality. The sweetness was not too powerful. The hops were medium if not less noticable. I consumed six after a dinner of roasted duck and mint dressing. Was very, very content noticing the alcohol content creeping up after the 4th one. I did notice a faint hint of barley adjunct and some acceptable, but vague, residue of aftertaste.

Serving type: can

11-27-2007 06:06:56 | More by Rddymk

JimiG

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +74.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bud Dry is actually a great choice for the smooth very taste and excellent mouth feel when very cold. There is no bite to this beer and it is an excellent alternative to Texas Budweiser. I prefer the12 ounce longnecks, but I have tied the Quart bottle and 16 ounce can and been very satisfied. The can seems to provide a little more flavor on the front end. I have also tried a variety of "born on dates" and prefer the fresher dates.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2007 02:55:29 | More by JimiG

biggmike

Mississippi

1.8/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

IWhy do they make so many of this wretched pale lager style. (Bud, Bud light, Michelob, Michelob Light, Michelob Ultra, Michelob Ultra Amber, Bud Dry, Bud Ice, Bud Ice Light)? Pours light yellow with little head. Not much aroma nor taste. This is also over-carbonated and mouthfeel suffers from it. Not a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2007 18:29:37 | More by biggmike

Floydster

California

2.2/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle from Rite Aid in Redlands

Had this after having Mickey's Ice and the two practically tasted the same to me

Thought they were more like malt liquors

Poured this into a frosted mug and very light brown color with practically no head

No smell and very little taste that did not last long

Could drink several of these if you wanted to, very light

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2007 06:15:30 | More by Floydster

giblet

Ohio

2.28/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

ho hum. not bad. nothing to write home about on this one. serve it ice cold on a hot day and it is fine. cheaper and better light lagers can be found with lil effort.

give it a try but dont have high expectations.

i wish i could find high quality lagers from AB lord knows they have the resources to make them if they wanted to.

suckem up and movem out!

giblet

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2007 13:33:52 | More by giblet

acrawf6

Louisiana

2.9/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a light yellow with a small white head that fizzles down.

Smell. slightly sweet and slightly grainy. other than that pretty neutral and what you would expect.

Taste. More of what you would expect. Though it says dry, i find it does still have a touch of sweetness. Other than that, a middle of the road example of the style. Aftertaste is dry.

Mouthfeel. body is thin and carbanation is high.

Overall. The reason why i buy this beer is because it is half the price of bud, and tastes the same. If i am looking for a macro to have, i immediately check for this (or schitz)...same stuff, but youre not paying for the advertisments.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2007 04:46:53 | More by acrawf6

TechMyst

Illinois

1/5  rDev -59.3%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Container Volume: 355ml

Container type: bottle

Fresh: y

Purchased @: n/a

Cost: cheap

Head: none

Lace: none

Color:
Reflected- yellow
Transmitted- yellow

Aroma: unpleasant

Mouthfeel: light

Palate: does not adjust

Taste: like all the other BudMillOors

Comments: not much better than BUD, why is this the most consumed style of beer? why do they continue to do a poor job in this style

Conditions:
Mowing/Working on car- n
With Friends- n
Sipping- n
Get my buzz on- n

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2006 05:11:55 | More by TechMyst

Rumpole

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev +40.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The late 80’s and early 90’s seems to have been an oddly faddish time for macro brews; almost as many new beers disappeared shortly after they were introduced. A-B’s Bud Dry, like Miller’s Red Dog, is one of the unlikely survivors.

I have only seen Bud Dry for sale in glamorous Worcester, MA by the can in 30-packs for $16. The above pictured bottle may or may not be a vintage piece, but in fact the hilarious late-80’s label itself is still unchanged, and that’s a pity because it is none too pretty. It is a very pale imitation of the classic Budweiser design, with a lot of italicized swoopiness added on to make the can look as though it has been shot out of a gun. The overall look is more appropriate to a trendy soft drink or gent’s shave cream rather than beer.

The beer itself looks just fine, particularly if you’re used to the look of regular Bud, because parked side by side it’s pretty much impossible to tell them apart visually. Same clear pale cheery gold brightness. The scent is also very similar, a very light ‘beer’ smell with an herbal overlay, not at all unpleasant.

The flavor is similar as well, but here the differences are easier to detect. Both have a light maltiness, but Bud Dry has an even lighter hop top note and as its name suggests, is drier. The flash of juiciness you get in Bud is alas absent here; but in its place is a straight rice note, ending with an immaculate finish. The Bud texture is still there though, lively but not overdone, making for practically limitless potability.

All the other Buds in A-B’s lineup are a fairly stiff $21 for a 30-pack, making Bud Dry a welcome relief to the Rumpole budget; one wonders why they didn’t market it as Busch Dry. No matter; one can get much of the Bud goodness here and save almost a quarter to boot. Some may even prefer the leaner taste that comes with the leaner price. A-B is coy about the abv for this, unlike for regular Bud, where it’s right on the label; it might not be a full 5%, but I’d be surprised if it were any slower than Busch’s 4.6%. On the whole, a nice find for those who like Budweiser but can’t quite make a regular habit of spending the full amount for the original.

Serving type: can

03-08-2006 20:54:41 | More by Rumpole

badbeer

Iowa

2/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Yellow color, white head, little lacing. Smell is not terrible, its got a little bit of grain and corn coming through. Very bland taste, but that could be expected, it's pretty much Budweiser, dumbed down, as if we needed that, but it does have a small amount of flavor and no hops present. This is an odd way to try and balance a beer, more water to a watery flavor instead of more flavor balanced by hops, but whatever. Mouthfeel is highly carbonated with little body. I finished the whole can.

Serving type: can

02-09-2006 11:16:43 | More by badbeer

BEERchitect

Kentucky

1.93/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Given by my father. A must drink over a Father-Son conversation. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Extremely pale yellow. Very clear and overcarbonated. A fizzy head that disipated quickly. Lightly malty, vegetol, and grainy to the nose. Flavors are barely detectable to cereal grains, vegtables (corn). Grainy in the body and finish. It does finish dry and flavorless. An anorexic beer. There isn't anything there to like or dislike.

Serving type: can

08-16-2005 18:50:03 | More by BEERchitect

Vancer

Illinois

2.4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Sampled this one along with a Bud Select – thought they may be the same. But no, they’re close cousins, but a little different. The Dry is clear, amber yellow, slightly lighter than the Select. Little less hoppy in the finish over Dry. Awfully plain and generally tasteless, but still, not an unpleasant beer, was drinkable outside for an afternoon session. Yeah, many more better ones are out there waiting.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2005 13:35:17 | More by Vancer

moocey

Alabama

2.98/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bud Dry. It's like Budweiser, but less! Less flavor, less color, less smell.... Everything but less alcohol content. It's like water that will give me a buzz if I drink enough - except that beer will dehydrate you? Like most beers of this type, I reccomend it for a good yardwork session. It's all those blissfully wonderful things Anheuser Busch says about their beers on television - light, crisp, refreshing.... still.

After I run a few miles tomorrow, I think I'll stick to water.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2004 06:43:12 | More by moocey

Gusler

Arizona

1.3/5  rDev -47.2%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

The beer pours from the 12-ounce brown bottle a limpid gold with a modest white frothy head and the left over lace a thin sheet. Nose is sweet malt, fresh and clean, start is lightly sweet and the top skeletal. Finish is caustic in its acidity, hops benign and the aftertaste dry, it has been almost 4 years since I sampled one of these, now I know why.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2004 18:23:51 | More by Gusler

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.2/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Fizzy yellow beer with a thin short lived white head leaves specks of lacing. Aroma: Grainy sweetness corn and rice adjuncts kicking with a husky malt tone. Taste: Sweet blend of two row malt and corn very evident sweetness is bland and finishes extremely dry with a touch of hops. Mouthfeel: Thin body over carbonated completely uninteresting. Drinkability: I wouldn't recommend this beer to my friends or foes in that matter, but a better and cheaper alternative to Bud only offered in select markets.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2004 16:03:05 | More by WVbeergeek

Zorro

California

2.42/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Pours an ultra clear pale yellow brew. Looks like Budweiser.

Smell is mildly sweet mild grain and that is about all.

Taste is less sweet than Budweiser, mild grains and a clean finish. No hops tasted.

Mouthfeel is Budweiser.

Drinkable in a bland sort of way.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2004 02:44:22 | More by Zorro

Frozensoul327

Michigan

2.15/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I tried this brew a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen it in years and wanted to give it a try. Too bad it only came in 30-packs.

Pale yellow color, with a slight scent of hops and alcohol. I'll give it props, it is a dry beer, but with little taste, it's pretty much irrelevant. The little flavor that was detected was that of your typical AB product, i.e. nothing special. It's worth a try if you have never had a dry beer, but see if you can get it in a sixer instead of a 30 pack incase you can't stand it.

Serving type: can

11-08-2003 21:47:53 | More by Frozensoul327

Tballz420

Minnesota

2.17/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

This is basically a drier version of bud heavy. I think that this one has less of a taste (a little easier to go down than its big brother). Nothing special with this one, it is what it says it is, a dry bud. Not the worst beer to have if the goal is putting down a large amount to forget your name.

Serving type: can

05-22-2003 11:10:59 | More by Tballz420

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

1.73/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

How can I review a beer so horrible, It's macrogarbage at its worst. I don't even care to think about how bad this is, one taste will tell you, damn what am I thinking and drinking. Stick to WATER as with all AB products, it doesn't matter which beer it is Dry, Ice, Original, or Light. They are all lousy and of poor quality and that born on date doesn't matter if you drank it from the brewery itself.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2003 15:04:25 | More by bierman2000