Budweiser Select 55 - Anheuser-Busch

WVbeergeek

Ohio

1.95/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Been watching my caloric intake so I saw this the other day and figured let's try it just to see how bad it is and also to see it filled a void that I had for my beer cravings. This is literally watered down Bud Select. Pours a fizzy yellow golden color with a highly carbonated quickly fleeting head, leaves sparse speckled lacing on the sides of my glass. Aroma has cooked vegetable, corn, generic beer nose, no actual hop component with a bit of metallic character going on. The first sip has a watery non discrete grainy quality with some more of the cooked corn rough husk quality, no herbal no hops just generic mass produced beer flavor. Ferments out to only 2.4% alcohol this is a glorified non alcoholic beer. Labeled as premium light beer, I'm just surprised that it's only 55 calories the only other drink other than water that I've had on a regular basis has been Gatorade G2 at 45 calories. Mouthfeel is light bodied with high carbonation pretty rough just because of the graininess light flavors and high carbonation.

Serving type: can

01-29-2012 15:36:41 | More by WVbeergeek

matjack85

Illinois

1.05/5  rDev -36.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

I found a shopping cart full of these 12oz cans at the Foremost Liquor store in Glendale Heights, IL for 50¢ a can, so I grabbed one to try it. Born on date on the bottom of the can says 8/25/11 on it, so this can is about 5 months old.

The beer poured out a crystal clear pale gold color and made a ½-finger fizzy white head that dissipated to nothing within 5 seconds - not even a trace of film on top and absolutely no lacing whatsoever.

The rest of the review can be summed up thusly: This beer has no smell, no flavor, no taste, no body, and no reason to buy it. Go get yourself a glass of ice water and you've basically got the same thing.

It is carbonated, so maybe change that to selzer water and there you have it. Nothing offensive about it other than it masquerading itself as a beer, but hey, at this price it's even cheaper than bottled water, so it's got that going for it I guess.

2.4% alcohol, so go knock yourself out with a six-pack, but if if you really want to try a decent light beer go get a Sam Adams Light. This Bud Select 55 does nothing for me.

Serving type: can

01-18-2012 12:46:54 | More by matjack85

TampaRealtor

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +157.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

I gave this beer high rating because it does what it's supposed to do. It's not supposed to be a strong smelling, dark, tasteful beer. And that's what i want sometimes. When it's hot out and I want a cold beer to go down fast, this is the one. It's light and yes the taste is very weak. But it's kind of like wanting a cold glass of ice water on a hot day, but it's still a beer. It can't be denied, there is a reason Budweiser is the top selling beer, a lot of people do like it.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 15:48:53 | More by TampaRealtor

budgood1

Minnesota

1.05/5  rDev -36.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

pours out of the clear bottle a clear light golden colour with plenty of fizziness to support a relatively thin fine head. exceeded my expectations already! a bit of lace. very light grainy, husky, musty aroma. the taste is of glorified seltzer water. thinly malted and barely hopped. ugh. feather light body and a crisply carbonated mouthfeel. double ugh. not really drinkable, unless your standing on the surface of the sun and are extremely thirsty.

overall...why? yuck.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 23:30:59 | More by budgood1

TippySelenoid

Missouri

2/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured intoa pint glass.

It's yellow with a rim of white lace. Not a lot of carbonation.

It doesn't really smell like anything, water?

The first taste was more flavorful than I expected, but after that it was rather flavorless.

It's watery and crisp, but the fizziness disappears immediately.

If the beer world is slowly seeing the emergence of craft beer into a dominant force, maybe AB thinks there's a shift in the opposite direction as well, ultra light beers. I've had much worse products than this one, but artistically this beer is like Thomas Kincaid. This may be good business for AB and macro brewers, but it is not driven from a deep and abiding love for beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 19:30:07 | More by TippySelenoid

match1112

Illinois

2.25/5  rDev +36.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

poured from can into a pint glass. body is a clear pale straw color with half a finger of white bubbly head that disappears rather quickly. smell and taste were almost none. was able to pick up on faint grains and a metallic tonic water flavor. beer goes down pretty clean with no hops flavor and too much carbonation. like drinking a glass of tonic, maybe i should of addded vodka and a lime.

Serving type: can

11-13-2011 12:58:20 | More by match1112

alexgash

Connecticut

1.78/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

12 oz. bottle.

Super clean and clear light straw yellow body. Fizzy, soda-pop finger of eggshell-white head. Dissipates down to a few small bubbles after 30 seconds. Faint nose with very light notes of honey and rice chex cereal.

Slightly astringent grainy malt and mineral water bitterness up front. Watered down faint cereal malt flavors mid-palate. Not even a hint of sweetness. Mineral water bitterness into the finish. Light bodied with a very lively, soda-like feel. Watery and almost tasteless. I'd rather have 4 oz. of a good beer if I were watching my beer calories...

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 02:56:45 | More by alexgash

Jerone

Florida

2.1/5  rDev +27.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Light straw, lots of bubbles and small head that fades to nothing. No smell, maybe straw. Taste is of carbonated water, some straw, corn. Mouthfeel is very light, highly carbonated. There is just no flavor here, but I guess that it can't be avoided with 55 calories.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 21:26:53 | More by Jerone

gtermi

Texas

1.02/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

This to me is one of the worst beers of all time. I grabbed this because it was on sale for 3 dollars (that should have screamed to me that it was terrible) and I poured it into a regular pint glass. The beer poured a boring piss yellow and the smell was just a tiny bit of something and water. The taste was not there, you get a little malt, but other than that not much at all. The mouthfeel is like highly carbonated water. I couldnt stand it so it went down the drain, as well as the other 5. Dont buy this beer, it is terrible.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 05:47:38 | More by gtermi

Beastdog75

New Jersey

1.25/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

I thought regular Bud Select was already a light enough beer but apparently not. Bud Select 55 is a very lo-cal beer that is very low in the flavor department.

This beer pours a golden color with a fingers worth of fizzy foam that disappears in under 30 seconds. Tons of little fizzy bubbles race to the top of the class, indicating that this will be a very carbonated beer. The brew has that typical Bud Light smell of husky grains, and it also has a tiny bit of skunk for good measure no thanks to the clear glass bottle. The beer almost stings the tongue because of the sharp carbonation level. The beer is unsurprisingly bland and watery. There is a slight husky grain flavor present and a little bit of bitterness in the finish, but I would compare the flavor more to seltzer water than anything. Some dryness lingers on in the finish and the beer has no alcoholic warmth.

I think Coors Light might still be a more watery beer, but while Coors just lacks flavor for the most part, Bud Select 55 is almost a chore to drink. It felt like it took me a half hour to finish the bottle. I think the unpleasant mouthfeel really hindered this beer. This is definitely not recommended, even to people who like light beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 20:18:45 | More by Beastdog75

Spikester

Oregon

2.23/5  rDev +35.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours clear pale gold with about one inch of bone white head, no lacing. Aroma is a hint of grain. Taste is clean crisp malt water. A tiny amount of bitterness is found from time to time. Mouthfeel was like a lower cabonated sparkling water. Some dryness in the finish. If they had a seperate style class for ultralight beer this would fare a bit better.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 03:34:52 | More by Spikester

barrenbane

Ohio

1.33/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

A - The closest beer to water I've seen in my life. It makes BMC light lagers look like craft beer. Heavily, heavily, heavily carbonated.

S - Smells like water with a drop of light beer added.

T - Almost completely devoid of flavor -- I'm not exaggerating. I would think I was drinking Perrier if I was blindfolded.

M - Reminiscent of sparkling water.

O - The ads say it's the "lightest beer in the world". They aren't lying. I strongly suggest sacrificing an additional 40-60 calories and go with a BMC light lager instead.

Serving type: can

08-05-2011 06:53:14 | More by barrenbane

rmolledo

Florida

2.25/5  rDev +36.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: straw golden.
S: malt and corn. Lager yeast
T: seltzer water with a splash of bud light.
MF: high carbonation. Light finish.
O: it's a good idea for people who like la croix but want a beer like flavor. Good for if u want a beer with dinner while on a diet. But that's it.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 22:17:29 | More by rmolledo

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

1.8/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Select 55 has a thick, yet quickly dissipating head and a clear, bubbly, yellow-golden appearance. The aroma is very slight, but some sweet graininess is picked up. Taste is quite dull and mineral water like. A little grain and not much more is detected. The overriding taste is tap water. Mouthfeel is super-light and watery, and the finish of Select 55 is like water finishes. So dull! Overall, this is poor, and I advise you to stay away.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 23:42:08 | More by RonaldTheriot

Vebbster17

New York

3.45/5  rDev +109.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Ok, let me first say when you see this beer it is obvious what you are going to get. Half the calories, half the alcohol, half the taste. This beer is perfect for those times when you are entertaining friends and want to be sociable without getting drunk. It is far better than most NA brews and better than MGD 64. I am actually impressed a bit by this beer. I drink it on a hot summer day when I don't want too get drunk.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 18:02:31 | More by Vebbster17

beerprovedwright

Georgia

1.27/5  rDev -23%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

My pour yielded a one finger head of the whitest foam I have seen in a long time, and I am glad I took a good look because it was gone very quickly, leaving very little lace very little cling. Color is a 2 on the SRM beer color chart. Smell is a light aroma of cooked corn and wheat. Taste is much like the smell, but less of it. Sweet corn and wheat, maybe a slight touch of grapefruit, can I say bland. Mouthfeel equals fizzy water. I guess if you want to drink a lot and pee a lot in a night of fun with friends and still be sober to drive, this would be the beer for you.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 15:12:02 | More by beerprovedwright

bluejacket74

Ohio

2.08/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Picked a bottle of this at Liquor Barn, it's one of those brews that I know I'll never buy a 6 pack of, but want to try for some stupid reason. 12 ounce bottle. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear light gold color with about a 1/4 inch white head that went away very quickly. There isn't any lacing left on the glass. Aroma is a bit of sweet malt, and not much else. It doesn't smell bad, but it doesn't exactly smell appealing either. The taste is pretty much just like the aroma. It tastes like a bit of sweet malt, but there aren't any offensive flavors. Mouthfeel/body is light and watery, but that's to be expected for this style of beer. It's really not hard to drink at all. I was expecting the worst when I tried this brew, but I was pleasantly surprised. I hate to admit this, but if someone gave me a bottle of this, I'd drink it (not that I'll ever buy this again). I've certainly drank worse beers. I'm not saying this is good, but for a 55 calorie light lager, it's a lot better than I thought it was going to be.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 00:00:05 | More by bluejacket74

billybob

Massachusetts

1.18/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

the best thing i can say about it is it looks like beer in the bottle. pours light gold color white head that quickly went flat and no lace. very weak cooked corn smell. its hard to describe the taste because there was none. watery weak mouthfeel and not enough alcohol to make to worth the price. don't waste your money if your looking for beer. its not.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 18:14:38 | More by billybob

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

2.05/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Review from memory - consumed at my sister-in-laws on 4/11/11 after a family members wake.

12oz bottled served in a pilsner glass.

L - flat yellow color with a white head that goes away right away.
S - grainy, not much else
T - taste is basically just grainy as well.
F - thin and light.
O - if you think this is going to make you lose weight you probably love it but I'm not on a diet.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 02:04:07 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

tone77

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev +56.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a aple golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is mild, some notes of beer. Taste is also mild, a touch of malt, not much going on. Feels light in the mouth and overall, while not the worst light beer I have tried, there is nothing to seperate it from this unremarkable herd.

Serving type: can

04-09-2011 14:21:44 | More by tone77

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

1.35/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Had to try it just to see what the hype was all about. I'm still impressed that this hasn't been retired by the brewery. It's one thing to have a light beer, and it's another thing to have a Light Light Beer. Honestly, I'm struggling to see the purpose to this. If Americans are getting too fat to enjoy a good beer from time to time then they shouldn't be having beer at all. This beer is a waster of money, time, ingredients, and everything else that is put into making this. I'd rather see this removed from the shelves and Crystal Pepsi put in it's place.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 16:18:00 | More by Knapp85

jsprain1

Minnesota

1.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

A- Pale straw. Fizzy head disappears immediately.
S- It smells like grains steeped in water. If it were stronger it would be like when you forget about that empty bowl of cereal for a couple days.
T- Grainy, slightly metallic. Undeniably watery. Best drunk tremendously cold.
M- Watery. Thin. Initially overcarbed, but by the end the carbonation is gone.
D- Easy to drink, in that it's almost water. Not easy to drink in that it doesn't taste that great.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 17:06:27 | More by jsprain1

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

1.2/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

2.4% really? awesome!!!

Poured into pint glass.

Pours a light layer of white head. Fades away quick. Color is a clear golden yellow.

Aroma: Grains. That is all. This smells more like water than it does beer.

Taste: See aroma. Really. This beer has no beer taste to it. Grains at a very minimal.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and crisp. High carbonation. Light bodied. Ends bland and dry.

Overally, is this a beer or some kind of water? I guess it was easy to drink, but that was because it was basically water. Would I drink it again? No.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 04:42:36 | More by mothman

afinepilsner

Iowa

1.68/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

12oz clear bottle

Select 55 was pale yellow in color with good clarity. It had a fizzy white head that disappeared instantly. The smell was very light and clean with a bit of cereal grain. The taste was water with a touch of grain thrown in. The mouthfeel was as close to water as you can get with light carbonation. Drinkability was poor. This is the wateriest beer that I have ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 21:42:37 | More by afinepilsner

chiccabeer

Massachusetts

1/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

OK so my updated review:

I hate to even admit I have tried this beer, but I have. This should not even be classified as a beer and more as a liquid used to torture our enemies. There is nothing about this beer that could be classified as good except after you drink one you only sacrificed your soul and 55 calories to try it.

Here is why I said the above. This beer has an awful taste that only get worse when it gets warmer. There is no flavor to discuss. I understand this is seems like I am "slamming" this beer. I really am not! There isn't anything to write about with this beer. The mouth feel is almost chalky leaving your mouth dry. The flavor is a a generic American style bud, but with less taste. I would recommend you try another beer if you are looking for a lot cal beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 16:49:32 | More by chiccabeer