Beach Bum Blonde Ale - Anheuser-Busch

Vendetta

New Jersey

2.05/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Original Rating Date:
June 7, 2008

There are some reviews on here that talk about the hops of this beer. Hops? Really? I'm not really sure how anybody tasted hops in this beer. They're non-existent. It is malty, but tastes really, really watery... which I expected once I saw the "Anheuser-Busch" label. There are actually some decent fruits, but it's a really weak presence. Not really a presence at all, actually. Really disappointing. I was hoping to cleanse the memory of Landshark Lager from my taste buds. Sadly, this just added to the disappointment. Haven't had good luck with new beers so far this weekend. Thank god for Dogfish Head 90 and Sam Boston Lager.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 00:30:15 | More by Vendetta

colts9016

Idaho

2.35/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A light golden color with carbonation bubbles. The smell is corn, caramel, malt and yeast. The taste is slightly hoppy with a hint of floral and pie. Can taste toasted malt. The mouth feel is thin and watery. No finish it is alright for a Budweiser beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 21:19:28 | More by colts9016

Wasatch

Utah

2.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clean/clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy white head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some spice. The taste is sweet, malty, and spicy. Medium body. Kinda drinkable, not too bad, but I've had better blonde ale's.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2008 04:48:24 | More by Wasatch

Zadok

Kansas

2.35/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had at Waldo's with the bucket of bottles.

Poured a crystal clear yellow with a one finger head and maybe some mild lacing.

Hmmm, aroma?

Cant really taste anything either.

Very crisp and smooth, quite refreshing actually. Kind of like carbonated water.

Not to much else to mention, pretty good for lawn beer if you could get yourself to actually buy it.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 22:18:03 | More by Zadok

bushbeer75

Michigan

3.13/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle with born on date 5/02/2008 and consumed in a mug

Beach Bum Blonde Ale poured a bright gold color with a generous white head that stayed around a while and left behind some lacing. The smell and taste is of a little spicy hops and ample malt. Mouth feel is light medium, crisp, clean and plenty of carbonation. Beach Bum Blonde Ale had a high malt profile, but I was a little disappointed that I couldn't detect any fruitiness that is exhibited by a lot of Blonde Ales.

AB is moving in the right direction with this and its other seasonal brews.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 18:25:03 | More by bushbeer75

rbennett0

West Virginia

3.48/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

To me this is a crisp ale. Has a decent blond ale flavor with a bit of bitterness. it does taste just slightly watered down, (it IS from Anheuser-Bush...) I was definitely a bit skeptical at first due to it being released by a mega brewer but when my local store was selling it for $2.99 a 6-pack i bought a case and was impressed with its overall taste. it's refreshing, crisp, and has good flavor. this is one of the better mega brewer lighter beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 16:30:18 | More by rbennett0

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.15/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Out of the bottle this A-B product looked surprisingly good. White head one finger head that retained well and laced in sheets atop a bright yellow liquid. The aroma was semi-sweet, lemon and sugary malt. The flavors were subdued but not unpleasant. A basic balance of malt and hops with a slightly astringent quality and no outstanding characteristics. The mouthfeel was fine, medium body and generally refreshing. Just an easy going, non thinking entity, like the blonde surfer on the label. It wasn't not good but it was too lackadaisical to actually call it bad either. This beer was simply beer and you could drink it if you like.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 01:13:16 | More by thekevlarkid

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. brown bottle with a "Born On Date" of 16 May 08, indicating that the beer was roughly one month past the 110-day "Freshest Taste" period.

Pours a crystal clear, bright yellow hue with a full two-finger white head that slowly fizzles and leaves a fair amount of lacing on the pint glass.

Aromas of sweet, fruity, caramel malts fill the nose, with just a touch of herbal hops.

The same sweet, creamy caramel malt flavors appear on the forefront of the palate, with a middling tinge of balancing hop bitterness and a sweet breadiness on the back of the tongue, leading to a fairly sweet, long-lived finish. The sweet malts at times seemed almost cloying, but never quite reached that point.

Body was very light, and sadly a tad bit watery, but overall the brew was extremely refreshing and infinitely drinkable.

I don't know if the month of extra time did anything to the beer, but if so, it couldn't have been anything negative. This is a great, refreshing summer beer, and I must certainly commend the boys at A-B for mixing this one up.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2008 02:52:05 | More by superdedooperboy

philipquarles

Louisiana

2.78/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a perfect clear gold with a nice, fluffy head. Doesn't stick around for very long, though it does leave decent lacing.

Smells of malt (pilsener, surprisingly enough), hops, and very faint fruit esters. Tastes of malt and a bit of hops, but not much else. Leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is rather boring and watery. It's a drinkable beer in that it's unoffensive, but it's certainly not good.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 23:31:21 | More by philipquarles

JayQue

Virginia

2.8/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Looks good. Pours a clear dark gold with a nice size white head. Head retention not bad and leaves some spotty lacing on the glass. Very little aroma, mostly malty.

Taste is fairly mild as well. A little more flavor than a BMC lager, but only a mild malty taste.

Mouthfeel was ok, not watery - just about right for a Blonde Ale

Drinkability is ok, this is a lawnmower beer - nothing to seek out. Ok but not memorable.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2008 23:08:00 | More by JayQue

boralyl

Oregon

2.25/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A - Pours one finger of white head. The retention is ok, and leaves some pretty good lacing as it settles. The beer is a clear golden straw color.

S - A fruity/spicy aroma.

M - Light-bodied beer with a creamy feel and moderate carbonation.

T - Clove, very small hoppiness that can just barely be made out, mostly a mixture of malts. It just doesn't come off as a very good combination.

Another attempt by the big guys at craft beer. So far I haven't tasted anything by these guys that is worthwhile at all.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2008 18:24:06 | More by boralyl

flaminghomer

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I like this beer. After the head settles down a bit it has a great dempled lace floating. Taste is that of a sweet pale ale. It resembles the Michelob Pale Ale but is certainly sweeter. With all this sweetness it still tastes very well balanced. Actually, the hops are the first thing I noticed. However, it got progressivly sweeter after that. It's a great beer to drink on a chilly, late summer night. Like I said, I like it. And incase you were wondering, yes, I know that it is made by AB. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2008 05:46:23 | More by flaminghomer

krukster

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Yellow and golden with minor lacing

S - Slight malty and hint of citrus. Maybe lime or orange?

T - Tastes kind of malty, can't taste too much of the citrus that I smelled earlier

M - Fairly light.

D - Pound away,lol. Probably an ok beer after cutting the lawn, but otherwise a shitty attempt by AB. Their Shock Top was much better, but then again maybe that was because the citrus overwhelmed my tastebuds.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2008 01:25:49 | More by krukster

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

P- outback steakhouse (from notes)

A- copper amber in color with a decent sized one finger head. a light lacing though.

S- slight hop smell and grainy malts. some hints of citrus (grapefruit)

T- a dull grapefruit hop taste. malts and slight alcohol. alcohol well hidden.

M- dry and a nice carbonation to it.

D- easy to put these down. If bud man wants to spice up his beer life it would be good for them. A decent brew from anny!

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2008 22:43:48 | More by Dodo2step

bbeerman

Massachusetts

2.48/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Not surprisingly, there was nothing special about this brew. The scent almost seemed promising when opened, but that quickly faded once the bottle was poured into a glass.

The one thing I was impressed with was how long the head lingered in the glass (a good five plus minutes I'd say). Not something I was expecting from an AB product.

There are certainly numerous better "summer" beers available. Not a beer I would drink again given other options.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 04:55:40 | More by bbeerman

EStreet20

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into a tulip shaped pub glass.

A - Golden yellow color woth nearly a full two fingers of white foam. Lots of carbonation bubbles rushing to the top.Head stays around and you get a couple rings of lacing on your glass.

S - Smell is a tiny bit of sugary malt.

T - Taste is straightfoward. Simple clean taste with a tiny sweet kick. The little bit of fruity sweetness gives way to a slightly grainy finish with no real aftertaste.

M - Light, lively carbonation.

D - A nice easy drinker here. This is just a smooth summer brew.

Notes: No complaints here AB or not. Reminds me of Brooklyn Summer Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 03:29:44 | More by EStreet20

ibashmuck

Wisconsin

2.6/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Poured a thick head on a golden body. There was a nice, surprising sweetness to the smell which was, sadly, nowhere to be found in the taste. Instead had an icky dustiness, and a poor, coating aftertaste. Fairly boring, actually, but I didn't have very high hopes to start with given the maker.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 06:14:57 | More by ibashmuck

armock

New York

3.33/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a clear yellow golden color with a thin white head that leaves some lacing

S - Is of grainy malt with a touch of citrus and spice

T - Is just like it smells grainy malt with citrus and spice

M - This beer has a medium body with light carbonation to it

D - This is a pretty good gateway beer I kind of like this pseudo craft from AB it has a decent taste thats refreshing for summer good to get if your at a bar that only has BMC products

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2008 20:22:01 | More by armock

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a brilliant golden color with massive white creamy head. Good retention witj mich stocky lacing.

Smell has a light fryuity sweetness.

Taste is also fairly sweet with a bit of a hop bite.

Taste rapidly vanishes with only a moderate dry sensation noted.

Nothing great, nothing bad. Easy to drink and moderately flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2008 19:51:07 | More by tgbljb

phantomwyse

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I remember liking this beer more last year, but that was before I started over indulging in better beers -- and knew it was A-B.

A: Amber copper color, more dark amber than copper. Minimal flat head, looks sort of like soap scum.

S: Distinct smell of corn rather than malt. Seasoning spice, like pepper, a little lemon buried in there.

T: Bland, even compared to the smell. Toasted cereal grain malt effect. A little peppery, which is why I think I liked it last year.

M: Watery, over carbonated.

D: For what it is, it's drinkable. It's not bad on a summer day being that it has a thirst quenching effect.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2008 14:12:54 | More by phantomwyse

Hokies

Rhode Island

2.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured on tap into a 22 oz mug. Pours a light golden color with a light head that did not last. All I can really smell is a light spice with a citrus aroma. The taste is very light again with the citrus and spice, but a dry hop taste comes through at the end. The taste isn't bad I was just hoping for more taste. The beer has a nice feel to it as it is not to light or heavy with the carbonation and is easy to drink as a summer time beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2008 00:16:17 | More by Hokies

dsa7783

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +32.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another satisfying seasonal from Anheuser-Busch...
Single, twelve-ounce bottle copped from New Beer Distributors on Chrystie Street in Manhattan for $1.50...
"Born on April 2008"...
Pours a clear, lucid, golden-colored hue with a modest head that left a copious amount of lacing around the edge of the serving glass...
Spicy, pepperish, citrus aroma with hints of bread and butter malts...
Pepperish, crisp, refreshing taste... Definitely a great Summer-time beer... A nice balance of malts and hops makes for a bittersweet, honey flavor...
As a side-note, Anheuser-Busch seems to do remarkably well with their seasonal selections, and this Summer-time brew is another great variation of the style...
Recommended...

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2008 17:36:46 | More by dsa7783

andreasmwatt

Colorado

3.4/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - VERY LIGHT IN COLOR, VERY SIMILAR TO A LOT OF THE BREWS THAT COME OUT OF THAT PLACE IN THE MO.

S - PRETTY FRUITY, SMELLED VERY SWEET AND DESCENT

T - TASTES LIKE A HOPPY BUD. IT'S ACTUALLY FAIRLY TASTY THOUGH.

M - ZINGY AND VERY CRISP

D - I KNOW I COULD DEFINATELY DRINK A LOT OF THIS BEER IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2008 14:05:31 | More by andreasmwatt

mhewes

Colorado

1.98/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A : Pours a clear straw yellow with a decent head which lasted longer than I was expecting

S : None, absolutely none. I just can't pick up anything

T : Rather bland. Pretty much a tasteless blonde beer. There's just enough to let you know it's a beer. Mainly some corn and hop flavor

M : Crisp and light

D : It's not bad for a hot summer day but there's other ones I'd pick over it.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2008 20:44:59 | More by mhewes

Lexluthor33

New York

2.58/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours clear golden with a good sized head and good lace.
The aroma is citrus,grains and some tones of corn. The taste is sour lemons,light hops,light malts,water and some hints of yeast.
The feel is watery,smooth with some sweet-bitter finish.

Notes: Look,not bad because AB is behind it,just bad because.
Not as bad as I expected,but once one has had a taste of good beer why even bother with gimmicky stuff like this. I tried it because it was free and I really hoped that AB would finally deliver a true hit,not to be. Try again. End of story.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2008 01:38:10 | More by Lexluthor33