Bud Light & Clamato Chelada - Anheuser-Busch

PheerNoBeer

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +166.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This isn't beer, it's just a strange mildly alcoholic beverage. Like a fizzy Bloody Mary. I enjoy it, but easily see why others find it disgusting. If you're looking for a beer taste it isn't in there. It's sweet, salty, and spicy. I saw this stuff in a lot of c-stores for a long time and always thought it would be disgusting, but now I'm hooked.

I was watching a 10+ year old Seinfeld episode a few weeks ago where Kramer got into cock-fighting with his rooster named Little Jerry. In the final few scenes at the Mexican cock-fight there's a BudLight Chelada banner hanging in the background. The banner probably pre-dated the release of Chelada in the states, but Mexicans have drank this stuff for a long time.

Serving type: can

06-24-2009 00:19:44 | More by PheerNoBeer

mtschmitz

California

4.23/5  rDev +150.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ok, so first off when you purchase a beer like 'bud light chelada' I don't think it's the best intention to pour it into a snifter glass and give it a full review like a 'pliny the elder' would.

This is a drink primarily for when you're hungover; or have run out of beer for the night and you find it in the recess of your fridge.

I can't tell you what it looks like, I've only consumed straight from the can. It smells decent, and tastes pretty damn good, in my opinion.

I find it laughable when I read review of people critiquing this and pouring it into various glasses and expecting something great. It's bud light and clamato. Come on.

Overall I've enjoyed my fair share of Chelada and this will always have a place in my heart...

Serving type: can

11-18-2012 08:18:02 | More by mtschmitz

MikeInIowa

Iowa

4.08/5  rDev +141.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"And now, something completely different..."
--announcer introduction to
Monty Python's Flying Circus, circa 1969

OK. I get it. Most reviews are not fans of this brew, but it is a nice diversion. Just don't indulge too much if you have problems with fluid retention in your body because there is a high level of sodium in this beer's Clamato juice.

But then, it is not for every day imbibing. It is for special occasions, and it goes so completely well with Tex-Mex dishes.

A: It is red and opaque and has an average head and lacing. It's red because it is a combination of Bud Light (or Budweiser) and Clamato juice, which are popular combinations of beverages in various regions around North America. The good people of Winnipeg were the first to introduce the Bud Light / Clamato combo to me when I visited Canada in 2004.

S: Fruity

T: Refreshingly different. It has a bite to it. Zesty and zippy like a Bloody Mary without the steak sauce that cannot spell. Wirschester? (You get the idea.)

M: Feels juicy in the mouth and it effervesces as it passes the rear of the palate.

D: Above average.

Serving type: can

04-16-2009 18:38:33 | More by MikeInIowa

Vanlingleipa

California

4/5  rDev +136.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Back in the 1970s, I laughed my way through a John Waters cinematic grossfest called Pink Flamingos. Then, I found it extra bonus fun to take a unsuspecting girlfriend to this flick and watch her get repulsed to the core, capped off by the infamous closing poodle scene.

Although I've long left those sort of cheap thrills behind, I get a similar pang of nostalgia from those days when someone spots the can or two of Bud Light Chelada that I usually keep in the fridge and recoils in horror.

Me, I listen to my taste buds, which tell me that there's nothing wrong with a fizzy, beer flavored Clamato (especially after shaking in a few drops of Tapatio hot sauce). It's like the girlfriend your parents hate, the husband's best friend that his wife can't stand, and best of all - the one beer in the fridge that nobody else will drink no matter what. And I like it.

BONUS CHELADA EXPERIENCE

Go to Tijuana during the Tequila Expo in October where they serve Chelada with a tart Tamarind/Sugar rim. Now that's a mariachi party in your mouth, hot Latina groupies included.

Recommended food pairing: streets taco or a bacon wrapped hot dog.

Serving type: can

09-19-2011 09:15:39 | More by Vanlingleipa

SevaTse

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +133.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed from a pint glass, poured out of a tall can.

I enjoy clamato a whole lot more than I enjoy Bud Light, and thus this delivers the taste with a small amount of alcohol.

The color is cloudy redish, basically what you would expect if you poured Bloody Mary mix into a pint of cheap beer appearance wise.

Serving type: can

09-16-2011 20:00:32 | More by SevaTse

DocJitsu

California

3.93/5  rDev +132.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It appears to be something akin to watery tomato juice. Not necessarily appetizing at all. It smells much better than it looks. Dried chili pepper, lime, tomato, and lager aromas. The mouthfeel is wet with a nice carbonation/spice on the back of the throat. A very pleasing gardeny and lime flavor that is the only thing that can hit that spot. A good bloody Mary, maybe, but it wouldn't be nearly as thirst quenching. I love it! I've always loved it. I'm as happy as a clam(ato) that I found a local retailer who sells it in sixers.

Serving type: can

04-19-2012 03:40:28 | More by DocJitsu

NorthCountry

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +129.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I'm reviewing this product purely for what it is, not as compared to any other beer.

I love a good tomato juice (particularly homemade stuff by people who know what they're doing, like my mom used to, and another woman from my hometown who made rich, spicy tomato juice specifically for mixing with beer) and though this stuff doesn't really compare to good homemade tomato juice mixed with a better beer, for the convenience, and for what it is, I have to say I love the stuff.

One or two of these after work really hit the spot for me. With it's lower alcohol content (4.2%) it doesn't hit hard, and the tomato/Clamato flavor along with the seasonings is almost food-like in a way. A little heavy on the salt, but overall, and again, knowing what this stuff is (Bud Light's macro version of something that can be better with a little TLC) it's not bad at all, IMO.

Rated purely for what it is, I give it a 4.0. Up against good beers of all types and styles, maybe a 1.5.

Serving type: can

08-04-2012 20:03:18 | More by NorthCountry

dopehousex3

California

3.8/5  rDev +124.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At first I thought this was a bad idea but after giving a chance and being opened minded about it I got to say it was not that bad. I love clamato and I do like bud light and both together they did a ok job. After the second one you start to get used to the taste and how smooth it really is. The smell is not great but in my opinion the taste makes up for it. Just give it a chance and try to be opened minded.

Serving type: can

07-31-2010 02:15:27 | More by dopehousex3

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.55/5  rDev +110.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

24oz can poured into a Budweiser pint glass.

Appearance - Chicos taco's sauce. Watery looking tomato juice. Opaque with visible particulate matter. No head. Weird looking, but proper for the style.

Smell - No smell. Vaguely like clamato. No offensive or off smells, just odorless.

Taste - Tastes more like clamato than beer. Has a nice bite. If you think of it as a Clamato while taking a sip, it's delicious. Tomato and sweetness with a slight undercurrent of bud light. Better than regular clamato. But if you think of it as a beer when taking a sip, it's kinda weird. Surprisingly enjoyable.

Mouthfeel - Clean with a crisp bite.

Overall Drinkability - Actually really enjoyed this. First time I had it I thought it was pretty gross, maybe because I was drinking it sort of warm from the can. Chilled in a glass is pretty worthy.

Serving type: can

07-19-2011 23:21:54 | More by ZenAgnostic

RustyM

3.5/5  rDev +107.1%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

I really like a red beer and this one is no exception. The color is not the best as it's sort of a pinkish color and not a lot of head. It's a little spicy and goes down really smooth and the aftertaste is really nice. Has a hint of lime and it's slightly salty. I think it's pretty decent red beer, but not something I'd drink all night long but is a good starter for the evening.

Serving type: can

01-10-2013 01:04:09 | More by RustyM

pistola

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev +100%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

OK first, I think this beer or mixed beer is a bit underrated. Maybe because I remember my dad using beer and clamato juice the day after putting on a good one. My opinion is that this is an OK beer on a hot day or (morning after) if you want something that's got some salt to help keep you hydrated, decent flavor if you like tomato juice, and its pretty easy on the taste buds. IMHO, you can't judge this beer for anything but what it is. A tomato based brew meant for a certain occasion. But, thats my opinion. Anyway, I give it an average rating. Its a specialty beer to me.

Serving type: can

07-01-2012 19:17:03 | More by pistola

alkemy

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev +97%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Has the requisite "bloody beer" look. I've been drinking a variant of this for years with Rolling Rock. I'm not quite seeing everyone's need to pan the stuff...you know what you're getting. I mean it's adjunct lager beer and Clamato. I like it. Refreshing during and after outdoor summer activity. Pour in the Tabasco for a pick-me-up on those mornings you may have been over served the night before. Granted, I like my personal mixture (Rolling Rock/Clamato Bloody Mary mix) better, but this is serviceable.

Serving type: can

09-22-2009 15:27:54 | More by alkemy

branko7

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev +97%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First of all, if you don't like Clamato (tomato juice, salt, clam juice, and other flavorings), you won't like this (dare I say) unholy mixture. But if you do (and I do), you may like this.

The color is not very appetizing (drink it straight from the can and you won't notice). The smell, to me, is the worst part: smells a bit like something spoiled. But the taste, I actually like. It's like carbonated, watered down Clamato, with some hot sauce and a bit of alcohol (I wouldn't say beer---just the sense of alcohol. Not too strong, but it's there.) It helps if you're hungry---it has a savory taste.

I admit it's a bit tough to finish a 24-oz can, and don't let it get too warm on you, but this is definitely something I like once in a while. I certainly find it more interesting than Bud Light on its own.

Serving type: can

11-24-2009 04:23:12 | More by branko7

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.33/5  rDev +97%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bud Light & Clamato Chelada has a medium, pink head, which instantly fizzes away and an opaque red appearance, with golden splotches left on the side of the glass. The aroma is of tomato juice and a slight whiff of clam broth. Taste is of tomato juice, clam broth, lime flavor, and maybe some Bud Light. The body is medium to thick, and Bud Light Chelada finishes soupy, like a watery clam chowder. Overall, for what it is (an odd concoction), it’s pretty enjoyable. I recommend it for someone who would like to try something different.

RJT

Serving type: can

11-13-2011 21:33:56 | More by RonaldTheriot

LizConeyIsland

3.23/5  rDev +91.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

So, my friend Danielle and I came up with a way to enjoy the Bud Light Chelada in a more recreational, college crazy way. A pint glass half filled w the lovely pink Chelada, serves as the receiving half of what we call the 'Mater Bomb'. This title is attributed to our former colleague Shannon who witnessed our crazy brainstorming session. A shot of vodka with lime juice is dropped into the Chelada and consumed in an animalistic nature. The Spanish speaking cousin to the 'Mater Bomb' is''El Mater Bomb''. You guessed it, replace the vodka with tequila and you have yourself 'El Mater Bomb' Give it a try, but drink responsibly.

Serving type: can

04-27-2012 05:37:49 | More by LizConeyIsland

mactrail

California

3.23/5  rDev +91.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I think you first have to know what Clamato tastes like, and at least moderately enjoy the stuff. That's basically what this Bud Light Chelada tastes like, with, as the label notes, "el inigualable sabor de Clamato." Since I can't really taste whether there is beer in this or not, it's a vast improvement over plain Bud Light, which is generally agreed to taste like metallic club soda.

Salty and sweet, a nice tang of something like jalapenos, and you're on your way to rehydration. I don't believe anyone has mentioned that this would be the correct beer pairing with menudo.

It does make you cringe a little when you pour this into a tumbler (not one of my Belgian beer glasses, sorry). Salmon pink with a big head that crumbles into some strangely big bubbles, and then flatness. That's why musicman575 is correct in saying it is intended to drunk from the can. More spritz that way.

Serving type: can

04-07-2013 06:14:15 | More by mactrail

WestValleyIPA

California

3.08/5  rDev +82.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into my Zatec Glass. An interesting grapefruit color. Pink. A bit of head. Smells like bud light, clam, tomato, lime, citrus. Tastes like above. I don't know why people hate this beer. It is as described. Tastes like beer, clamato and lime. What's the deal? That's what it tastes like. For style it's completely fine. Open up your minds people.

Serving type: can

04-12-2010 02:11:32 | More by WestValleyIPA

HardTarget

Texas

3.05/5  rDev +80.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Bottle Inspection: Tall boy can (1 pint, 8 oz.) lists 4.7% abv., born on date of 21JUN07 (sampled 06SEP07) and speaks of “Certified Color”. The can feels heavier than it should. Helpful note advised ¡NO AGITE! “Do not shake”. Most of the can is in Spanish, but there is some nutritional information (150 carbs per 12 oz.) and a warning that it contains clams.

Aroma: Very mild Bloody Mary smell, not much going on. Tomato juice, pepper, dash of Worcestershire, you know the drill.

Appearance: I don’t know who certified this color, but this is opaque dark Pink Grapefruit. No head, active carbonation streams.

Flavor: Salty, mild, Bloody Mary. It’s very salty though, I can’t work through the whole can. There is some celery taste, and just a hint of shellfish, which oddly works.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, moderate to high carbonation, and a really oily finish.

Overall Impression: I fully expected to hate this, but it’s not bad! I was looking forward to a vicious thrashing, and I just can’t dish it out. I like Bloody Marys, but they are normally reserved for brutal hangovers in hotel bars. I could see being happy to have this to hold on to at home in similar circumstances. If you don’t like tomato juice, or Bloody Marys, steer very clear. Otherwise, it’s an interesting beer cocktail.

Apologies to GrapeVineJames for stealing this can from him, I owe you one.

Serving type: can

09-07-2007 05:36:15 | More by HardTarget

drewbage

California

3.05/5  rDev +80.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Classic 24oz can.

So this one was poured at a Maltose Falcons Dead Palate Society after our annual Oktoberfest party.

The beer pours dark cloudy pink with a bright pink big bubbled head that collapses fairly quickly.

Aroma is that of a weak bloody mary. Tomato, onion, chile, salt, pepper and lime. No real beer aroma behind it.

Flavor matches the aroma with the acidity of tomato and lime reinforced by the carbonation and an extra boost from the salt.

Revoke my beer snob card over this if you must, but I'd rather drink this than the usual AB products. It's basically a lightweight bloody mary in a can. Is it great? Nah. Would I buy a ton of it? No, but I wouldn't smack someone for handing it to me in the morning. (Then again I really like V8 and the like)

Here's a much better idea, get some clamato, v8 or tomato juice, a lime, some celery salt and pepper and blend with Old Rasputin.

Serving type: can

10-18-2007 09:49:43 | More by drewbage

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.03/5  rDev +79.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Looks like hazy, thinned tomato juice capped by a small, fizzy, white head.

Smell: A few hearty squirts of Heinz ketchup into a pot of simmering celery stock with no more than a few faroff hints of actual beer.

Taste: Salty tomato soup taste. Tiny hit of acidity. Very ketchupy and heavily seasoned with celery salt. Sweetish beer thins things out. Peppery spice. Thinnish tomato water finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Not altogether terrible. In fact, it's okay.

Serving type: can

05-24-2008 01:16:42 | More by ChainGangGuy

roddwolff

Mexico

3/5  rDev +77.5%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

I always have been a fan of clamato, so i really enjoyed this beer. Its made with clamato genuine. There is a very light essence of clam in the smell; the appearance is strange with a deep orange color; the taste is a mixture among tomato, clam and a light beer; the mouthfeel is a little spicy; in the drinkability, its very good to slander, or to drink 1 o 2, not more.

Serving type: can

03-12-2009 17:50:43 | More by roddwolff

musicman575

California

3/5  rDev +77.5%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Disregard my scores for this beer. None of the criteria really apply to this concoction.

I drank it right out of the can, the way it was intended to be drank. The can itself just looked like an ad - something corporate and artificial. No, I didn't stick my nose in the mouth of the can to try to smell it. I think this is best drank in the dark.

(clam + tomato juice) + cheap beer = Chelada. The idea of squeezing a bunch of tomatoes and a bunch of clams together in one pot doesn't sound great, but somehow it tastes...why, it tastes okay! Throw in a soft-drink-like beer substance and you have yourself a fizzy, salty, substancial, hearty drink. If it was made with fine ingredients and some added hot sauce, this has potential to be something very enjoyable. I guess I'll have to make my own chelada at home (I wonder what kind of beer I should use).

Serving type: can

12-04-2011 02:33:18 | More by musicman575

ElCerverzero

California

2.98/5  rDev +76.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I understand why this beer is so poorly reviewed, but in order to give it a fair shot you have to have tried what it's trying to recreate--a michelada. Yes, the color is a little gross (pinkish) and the smell might turn you off (a slight tomato scent that mingles with the beer) if you haven't had michelada before, but really, this is a pretty good imitation of that drink. Order a couple of micheladas next time you're at a Mexican restaurant and then try this sucker out. As you will notice it is not that bad. If you don't know, a michelada is a cocktail made out of a Mexican or Latin American beer, tomato juice (Clamato), lime, Worcester sauce, and salt. Really, what makes this beer not that great is the fact that it is made with Budweiser and not a Mexican or Latin American beer like Corona or Pacifico.

Overall I do not recommend this beer unless you're a big fan of micheladas. Otherwise I'd suggest shelling out the additional cash to but the real deal.

Serving type: can

04-22-2010 06:51:57 | More by ElCerverzero

buschbeer

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev +71.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

24oz can
Served in a conical pint glass

A - It pours a reddish orange. The pinkish head is gone before I can really distinguish the color.

S - It smells like tomato juice.

T - It tastes like carbonated tomato juice.

M - Moderate

O - I started feeling a little hung over today and thought a bloody beer might help. I prefer to add hot sauce to this beer. Maybe I should mix this with my Ghost Scorpion?

Serving type: can

07-15-2012 16:31:02 | More by buschbeer

JackieTH

Minnesota

2.88/5  rDev +70.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

I love Clamato so I suppose I'm biased. I'm a bit surprised this is even a 'beer', it's more a mixed drink and not terribly bad at that.

Appearance: Pink with a few chunks of clamato.

Smell: Clamato lite.

Taste: Carbonated Clamato lite.

Mouthfeel: Bubby and light.

Drinkability: Acceptable, definitely not a craft micro, but hey it tastes as labeled. I hesitate to call it beer. I had a couple of pints in the 90'degree weather on the dock.

Serving type: can

08-30-2010 21:11:21 | More by JackieTH