Batch No. 23185 (Williamsburg, VA) - Anheuser-Busch

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.2/5  rDev +40.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Budweiser Batch No. 23185 has a thick, foamy, off-white head, lots of splotchy lacing left on the glass, and a clear, yellow appearance, with red highlights. The aroma is subdued, but one can pick up some spicy, white bread and sweetness. Flavor is of white bread, fruit, vanilla, wood, and there is a slight hop bite at the end. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Budweiser Batch No. 23185 finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, and dry. Overall, this an interesting beer, and I think one should check it out.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 18:11:52 | More by RonaldTheriot

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +27.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured chilled from a bottle into a Perfect Pint. Paid $12.49 for the sampler pack, which is about $2 more than regular Budweiser, but $1 less than true micros.

A=Nice dark amber, but too light for a "Red" Lager. Three finger head lasted about a minute.

S=Nice presence of barley and hops...very appealing. Stronger aroma than BMC's.

T=First sip was enjoyable (had warmed up to about 40º)--subtle flavor, more malt but a faintness of hops (this is the second of the four bottles from the sampler pack, but I don't recall too much from the first bottle, as I only had half the bottle and drank it out of a non-beer glass). Smoothness, but do not really detect vanilla and only a hint of bourbon flavoring. Budweiser yeast flavor is rather predominant--so much so, that it reminded me of a slightly stronger Budweiser.

M=Body is a bit lighter than true micros, and carbonation is a bit more than usual.

O=If you like Bud, this is a better version and could be a good stepping stone to craft beers. In the literature enclosed, A-B encourages people to vote on the three versions, so it appears that one of the three will be marketed year-round, probably as Budweiser Black (A-B recently got approval on the new label). I doubt I would buy this again, but would choose it over other BMC's with the exception of Batch 19.

2/13: Had my last bottle, paired with Pizza Hut Taco pizza, and was impressed. Increased appearance, taste and overall by quarter point each.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 19:55:55 | More by dhannes

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.73/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – Pours a nice golden amber color with a big and billowy white head of ~ 2 fingers. The head has a decent level of retention slowly fading over time to leave a light lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell- The aroma of sweet caramel and vanilla with notes of a breadiness. Some lighter toffee like aromas as well as a light bourbon smell complement the other quite well producing a not too overpowering but balanced and sweeter aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with caramel and malt with hints of vanilla mixed within. The caramel flavor grow stronger more toward the middle and are joined by a light bourbon taste. From there the caramel starts to fade, but is replaced by more vanilla and toffee sweetness with a increase in the bourbon flavors and a very light oaky taste. In the end a very pleasant sweet vanilla and oaky bourbon taste are left on the tongue.

Mouthfeel- The body of the beer is on the average to just below average side in terms of thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is on the average to just above average side. It is actually quite a nice feel for the sweeter flavors of vanilla and make it quite drinkable and enjoyable.

Overall- Now this is what Budweiser should have gone with. It is quite flavorful, not overly sweet and has great flavor transitions and a good feel. Too bad this one is temporary as it is an affordable domestic that competes with may good crafts in terms of flavor and enjoyment.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 13:58:12 | More by Darkmagus82

DM1293

California

3.69/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pretty good. A solid body, with hints of bourbon and vanilla (mostly vanilla) on the finish. Not as balanced, but it works well enough to not be cloying to my tastes. The smell does little to introduce it though...

My second favorite of the three finalists.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 00:57:03 | More by DM1293

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle purchased as part of the mixed 12 pack. Drinking out of a Samuel Adams perfect pint glass. Pours an amber body with nearly an inch of khaki-colored head. Wood and vanilla notes comprise the aroma. Tastes sweet and malty initially which fades to vanilla and finally to woody notes in the finish. Medium in body and carbonation. Quite drinkable. Not bad. I actually like it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 00:45:40 | More by MrHurmateeowish

budgood1

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours out a brilliant lesser amber colour with a little head and very sparse lace. lightly malted aroma with wispy hints of vanilla and oak. flavour wise, the bourbon barrel and vanilla come forth a bit more than what was in the nose. it's seemingly sweeter than the other project 12 beers, and i believe a bit more agressively hopped. it all works fairly well and tastes reasonably well. especially if you are a fan of vanilla/oak/bourbon flavours in your lager. anyway, it has a medium body with a crisp, lagerish body and dry finish. drinkability is ok...i'm sort of intrigued by it.

overall, i would say that this is the most interesting and enjoyable of the project 12 offerings. i actually liked it more than i thought i would. a nice lager style beer for the winter season. it's not overdone and the nuances are simple and subtle.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 22:57:11 | More by budgood1

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.59/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Okay, 3rd of 3. Poured into mug.
Keeping with the others, subtle is the word, and I suppose that makes sense as the based is a pale Am. lager.
The mouthfeel is really soft and full. Similar to Michelob Golden light draft.
Really soft bourbon on the nose. Slightly sweet, it's kinda' nice. The vanilla bean seems background.
Flavor is more vanilla than bourbon, although the later is there too.
This isn't half bad. As with all A-B beers, or nearly all-I haven't had all of them, it is attractive looking. Golden amber, very clear, adequate white head that never fully leaves.

Thanks Spunky.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 21:21:16 | More by garymuchow

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle marked 12276-WA24. Sampled on November 20, 2012.

The pour is a vibrant golden color with busy carbonation erupting toward a lingering off-white head.

I do note the slightest vanilla flavoring on the nose but I tend to pick up more sweet, pale malts. I did not get the bourbon as promoted.

The body has a decent, smooth medium texture to it.

The taste begins sweet with a hint of vanilla and a subtle bourbon note followed by a clean, crisp but short-live hop character. I hope you try this blindly and don't let the name "Budweiser" pre-determine your assessment. You may be surprised.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 23:11:08 | More by puboflyons

Justin23060

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - 1.5 finger head that diminished but stuck around. Color is like bourbon as mentioned in notes.
S - Sweet malt, way more mellow than original Bud. No real hop presence.
T - Sweet with a bit of a linger. I get and like the vanilla thing, and not fake frosting vanilla like I was expecting. Hops only bitter.
M - Thin could have used a little more carb.
O - Nice. I was expecting fraternity beer with some vanilla extract, but got a nice mellow offering with some actual flavor. It's pretty straight forward and safe as expected. Knowing that Anheuser-Busch can produce something this tasty for only 96 cents a bottle is pretty impressive.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 05:01:06 | More by Justin23060

acevenom

Louisiana

3.45/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a glass mug. Pours light amber with a two-finger length white head that dissipates fairly quickly. There's a lot of visible streaming bubbles in the beer. The beer smells grainy with very light vanilla and bourbon. I might not have noticed the vanilla and bourbon if I wasn't looking for it. The beer tastes bready and sweet with some balancing hops in the back. The vanilla and bourbon are faint at first, but the vanilla comes out more later. The body is light to medium with moderate carbonation. The finish is clean. It's fairly easy to drink. This is a good beer that isn't quite up to the level of the other beers in the pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 23:31:02 | More by acevenom

buschbeer

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - It is a beautiful golden elixir. It is clear and has a meager amount of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. A fleeting, white head settles to a thin skim.

S - It smells like grain and sweet malt. I get some very faint vanilla.

T - This may be the most flavorful Bud that I have ever had, aside from Chelada and Bud Extra. The typical grain, grass, and sweet malt are balanced with some bittering hops. I even detect a little vanilla. I do not get any bourbon.

M - It is still BMC thin.

O - I like the concept here. This is a small step towards something better. I just don't understand why they would barrel age a 5.5% lager. I liked this one the best of the Batch 12 beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 22:43:17 | More by buschbeer

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

3.43/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought a 12 pack and poured into a pint glass. Hate Anheuser but figured what the heck, well wish I didn't. this taste sorta like their Vanilla bean bourbon cask ale ( There winter one from a couple of years ago) might still be going? Didn't see it this Winter yet. Anyways taste like that but a lager. appearance is nice AND dark with 1 inch head. smells like vanilla bean, hint of coffee to me. Its good if you like crappy beer, other wise stay clear.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:14:27 | More by Damian74Shensky

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.38/5  rDev +13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter

A: Light amber/golden with a half finger head that lingers.

S: Corn, sweet, malty.

T: Suprisingly smooth. A decent combination of malts, caramel and corn. I get that familiar Bud taste, only a bit more enhanced. Light vanilla, but no bourbon aging.

M: Medium with creamy carbonation.

O: Of the 3 offerings in the mix pack, this one is the most palatable. An easy drinker, just nothing outstanding. Still, not offensive. If Budweiser is trying to get all crafty, they could do a whole lot better.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 16:02:29 | More by brewskifan55

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.38/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Clear deep amber color, with two finger of thick foamy slightly off-white head.

Smell: Mild smells, maybe some malts, but very faint.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth, medium to light bodied. Malts, bread grains, and some hops bitterness.

Overall: This is a good brew, good balance of flavor but not overpowering. Smooth and easy to drink. I enjoyed this Bud, which I don't say often.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 18:06:35 | More by Cavanaghty

EagleTalon

Arkansas

3.33/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours out to a 1 inch white head that falls to a thin layer and color is light copper. Aroma is much like a Michelob original with a slight hint of vanilla and caramel. Flavor is also much like Michelob in that it has that signature AB yeast note along with macro-like grainy sweetness and some vanilla in there too. Hops are low-key. Mouthfeel is ok, still much like a Michelob. Overall this beer says "hey, let's take a marginally respectable all malt american premium lager and dick around with some crafty ingredients and see how many dumbasses buy it." It's not too bad if you consider the source. This was the best of the three in the Project 12 pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:05:49 | More by EagleTalon

BucannonXC5

California

3.33/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12-oz. bottle into a pint glass at my house on Dec. 4, 2012 (purchased the 12-pack for $12.99 at the 7/11 near Allied Gardens (San Diego) on Dec. 4, 2012. Caramel amber with 1-2 fingers of bubbly white head that dissipated at a very quick rate. Very little retention on the top, only slightly better on the sides (wetness).

Smelled vanilla, oak, sweet black cherry and toffee. Good smell overall.

Taste was like a watered down version of the smell. Got that vanilla and oak, but nothing that made me say, “wow.” Also got a slight taste of sour cherries.

Light body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt finish.

Not a bad beer overall, better than the St. Louis batch that I just tried. Would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 06:52:45 | More by BucannonXC5

Lemke10

Wisconsin

3.33/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This pours a clear, medium amber color with a fast diminishing head. There is a slight grain and bourbon scent. The taste is smooth with hints of bourbon and vanilla, but i really wish there was more bourbon flavor!. Just something new from Anheuser-Busch that really isn't all that new.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 21:05:27 | More by Lemke10

zeff80

Missouri

3.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Poured out a clear, golden amber color with a small off-white head. It left little to no lacing.

S - It smelled malty and sweet with some floral notes. Nothing very prominent.

T - Mostly with caramel and toasty malt. A slight bitter bite provides some balance.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied brew with a clean finish.

O - Not stellar but better than their usual lineup of beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 04:34:44 | More by zeff80

Tone

Missouri

3.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, copper color. 2/3 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, hops, hint of pine, slight hop oils, slight earthy malt, hint of pale malt, and adjunct. Fits the style of an American Amber / Red Lager. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight earthy malt, hint of caramel malt, adjunct, slight hops, slight metallic, and sugary sweetness. Overall, decent appearance and aroma. Body and blend are lacking in comparison.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 17:05:58 | More by Tone

TheMarkE

California

3.26/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Probably the best and most complex of Project 12, but the bar is set rather low. This is a light lager aged on bourbon staves and vanilla beans. Imagine Bud Light with a tiny hint of vanilla and an even smaller taste of oakiness and you get the idea.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:47:40 | More by TheMarkE

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Budweiser Project 12 : Batch 23185

LOOK: Crystal clear copper colored brew with a bone white head and decent retention.

SMELL: Malty, with some Budweiser yeast and just a hint of wood from the addition of Bourbon barrel staves.

TASTE: Super clean malts, with caramel like sweetness and very soft vanilla and bourbon flavors that mainly just translate to extra sweetness. Generic hoppyness comes through and does a decent job at providing some bitterness to balance the brew. Finishes with a small sweetness with muted complexities. Would love the flavors to be stronger here.

FEEL: Medium bodied, crisp, mildly sweet with a small grainy hop bite.

OVERALL: A pretty decent beer, given Bud's usual offerings. Still, this falls quite short of being a good barrel aged beer. Most of the desirable flavors are meek here , but still pretty drinkable. My favorite of the project 12 series, tastes close to the Bourbon Cask Ale that they brew in the winter.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 22:43:51 | More by Stinkypuss

cyclonece09

Maryland

3.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Beer poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a translucent orange/red with visible carbonation and a small, one finger head. Smells of slight bourbon smell with nice grain, but a little bland. Tastes of bourbon slightly with caramel malt, but watery. Beer is carbonated well and light bodied, but goes down really easy. Overall, a slightly above average beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 01:28:35 | More by cyclonece09

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.23/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep golden color with a good sized meringue heads that shows great retention and leaves a fair amount of lace. Smells of vanilla up front on top of very faint wood and a sweet grainy honey maltiness. Extremely light spicy hop aroma. The flavor is malty sweet with a rich almost caramel flavor atop some grain and honey. The vanilla and oak are quite subtle in the flavor but you can catch fleeting glimpses here and there. Medium body with a moderate to high level of carbonation and a creamy bubbly mouthfeel. Not a bad beer, in fact this might be my favorite mega brewery beer yet. I'd still buy something else before I picked this up again.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 03:16:47 | More by johnnnniee

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a mid-gold, almost turning into amber color. About a 1.5 finger head that retains quite well, leaving a thin film of froth on the top. Little to no lacing. Clear as can be.

S- Very faint nose on this one. Slight hint of vanilla and sweetness on the nose. No detectable bourbon or oak flavor. Most of the nose is light malt and barley, with slight metallic hints of an AAL.

T- Basically the same as the nose. Starts off with light to mid malt flavors with a slight metallic flavor underneath, Hint of vanilla sweetness mixes in. The slightest oak flavor profile is in there somewhere, but not distinct. Ends like a light lager with a little metallic aftertaste.

M- Light, crisp, and easy to drink. Flavor profile is not heavy to affect the mouthfeel.

Overall, this Project 12 beer had the most going for it, but fell way short. The vanilla, oak, and bourbon flavor was virtually nonexistent. Not a bad beer, but not what it could have been.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 21:56:14 | More by boilermakerbrew

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is a Budweiser. Not a Craft Beer. If you buy this expecting a craft beer experience you will be disapointed.

Batch No. 23185 pours a nice amber color. The head disapeared quickly and the mouthfeel is a little thin. This beer could be carbonated a little more.

Unlike good ol' Bud, this beer actually has some flavor. It has a slightly sweet malty flavor. Not much vanila comes through, but I get some wood or oak in the finnish.

This is an enjoyable beer. Even if it is only a slight improvement over regular Budweiser.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:52:57 | More by JohnFatAss