Budweiser Black Crown - Anheuser-Busch

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.38/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

Clear amber body with an eggshell white head forms fine evenly dispersed lacing, somewhat fizzy carbonation a stream of bubbles rise from the bottom of my glass. Aroma has some actual cereal grains going on with a touch of Beechwood or at least reminiscent of the regular Budweiser. This one kicks up the alcohol at 6% abv, and also invites a touch of fruitiness and mild caramel accents, earthy jumbled generic hop accents. Flavor wise it's a bit rough, each sip has an edge that I'm just not in favor of, light cereal grain sweetness with a dry finish with rough cooked vegetable notes and some woody bark like notes that don't add to the complexity but only fortify the reason why I drink craft beer pre-dominantly. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with aggressive carbonation, harsh finish I spoke about continues to effect the palate in a negative way. This is Budweiser's answer to Yuengling let's add some caramel coloring to a similar Budweiser recipe and compete directly with a brand they we now do a lot of distribution for. Overall impression is that I won't be picking up more of this, the plus side is that it's only 2 bucks for a 22 ounce bottle of it, and I believe pretty affordable in sixers, and twelve packs.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 20:12:25 | More by WVbeergeek

jwc215

New Jersey

2.68/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Born on March 11:

Pours amber with little head and virtually no lacing.

The smell is of caramel with a grainy hint.

The taste is sweet - caramelish. There is a hint of vague fruitiness, but it mixes with a touch of soap that throws it off. There is a touch of alcohol that is a bit raw. A hint of bland hops try to balance the sweetness.

It has medium carbonation. Fairly crisp.

I don't care much for the hint of soap. A bit too sweet for me. Not a disaster, but not desirable. Glad I only bought the 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 17:52:10 | More by jwc215

buschbeer

Ohio

3.01/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

12 ounce bottle
Served in a pilsner glass

A - It's on the lighter end of the amber spectrum. It has some golden highlights. There are lots of bubbles rising from the laser etchings to feed a modest white head.

S - It has a sweet, almost fruity aroma. It smells a little like grain.

T - At first I thought I got some of that fruitiness I noticed in the smell. I'm not so sure now. There is a slight soapy taste from the hops. It has a dry, clean finish.

M - Moderate with a good amount of carbonation.

O - It's better than Bud. I do not plan on having this again unless it's free.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 16:33:24 | More by buschbeer

jjamadorphd

Florida

3.34/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Budweiser Black Crown - another beer I have partaken of that is lifted as some of the best that the company has to offer...well, it isn't great, but it's not too bad, even considering the other offerings they make.

From the bottle it pours out a rich, dark hue of amber - thick, tan head with just a little lacing and staying power. The odor from the beer reminds me of smoked wood, hickory actually, which I enjoyed and took in for a while. The mouthfeel was simply average - not too watery, not too thick, no aftertaste, but nothing to set it aside from others. The taste was also above average - I didn't take in any of the smoky scents in the beer, but it did have that good dark lager taste (surprising me in the process.) Overall, I rated it well above average - for all the flak Bud takes, you gotta give the devil his due on this one. (Oh, and at 6% ABV, its a quick way to get shinola-faced...)

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 03:54:46 | More by jjamadorphd

barnzy78

Illinois

2.48/5  rDev -13%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle, pours golden-amber with striking clarity, thin, bubbly, white head dissipates very quickly. Aromas are lager yeast, metallic, faint toasted grain. Taste has some nice toasted grain up front, but other than that it's pretty much like most of the other AB offerings: not much for flavor, cereal, faint grassy hops. Mouth-feel is thin and watery with the higher carbonation making it feel a little fuller. Overall, I didn't expect much here, so I guess you could say it delivered?

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:10:27 | More by barnzy78

Bookseeb

Washington

2.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance has a light golden brown color supporting a dissipating head leaving nill lace. Smell of the adjuncts within a Bud but also having a sweetness of the malt. Taste has a Budwieser, adjuncty, malt infused sweetness. Mouthfeel is light with fair carbonation. I mainly got this beer do to curiosity, one bottle is all thats needed, no need for a half rack.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 00:59:57 | More by Bookseeb

Thaddeus

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear, amber brown

Taste & Aroma: Had a medium sweetness and bitterness to it. Grain notes on top of a slight citrus, possibly orange.

Overall Budweiser's Black Crown is a step above the traditional Budweiser, offering a fuller taste and mouth feel. The taste duration is good, neither short nor long.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 13:05:04 | More by Thaddeus

droomyster

Virginia

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear copper body with a head that fizzes and fizzles like soda water, without leaving a collar or a trace of lacing. Aromas are faint bud not bad. I mainly get a lightly toasted graininess with maybe a hint of caramel sweetness and a bit of plantain peel. Taste tends toward the sweeter end of the spectrum from start to finish, with toasty malts blending with sugariness on the front and mid-palates before a minerality emerges on the back to make the finish more crisp and memorable. Medium-light body is appropriate for how little flavor it carries, and overall it's an okay beer but seems boring when compared to some of the more established competitors in its style.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 08:13:46 | More by droomyster

MichaelNickerson

Michigan

2.66/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Appearance - golden with a better than average white head that lasts for a respectable amount of time for a beer like this

Smell - very grainy and earth odors

Taste - extremely grainy with a sweet note to it. Overall profile of flavors is weak and not too pleasant

Mouthfeel - finishes clean with moderate carbination

Excellent idea following the platinum, but could use some more noticeable flavors to improve the beer

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 15:02:54 | More by MichaelNickerson

UstickM

Michigan

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer has clear light amber color with a white head that disappears quickly. It has light carbonation with a smell of cereal grains and sweetness. This is slightly different with its smooth, clean finish and some caramel notes. I would choose this over a Bud.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 21:58:43 | More by UstickM

hdf561

Virginia

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had to try it, and have had several since I bought a 6 pack.

This is simply Budweiser with more alcohol content much like Bud Light Platinum is more alchohol than Bud Light

I actually enjoy the flvor and taste of a Budweiser or "Bud Heavy" as I call it, over several other beers especially Miller Light. It is what it is a beer that is going to get you drunk and that you can drink alot of. I do feel like this version is a little heavier than the regular Bud but other than that there is no difference other than the alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:33:42 | More by hdf561

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a two finger white head that fades quickly leaving traces lace. Crystal clear amber/yellow color. Light carbonation and light bodied. Nose is sweet pear, flavor is light sweet pear. Clean finish. Better than a Bud. $1.59 for a 12oz bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, MA.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 22:38:14 | More by jdhilt

Jonada

New Jersey

2.73/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

12oz bottle. Born on date Jan 4th 2013. Served in a pint glass

Appearance: Golden, not quite amber color with 2 fingers of a soapy white head. Head actually took a couple minutes to dissipate. The body is extremely clear.

Smell: Lots of cereal grain, slight sweetness, very faint hints of grassiness. There's also an artificial banana aroma as well. Almost like a banana candy.

Taste: Slight sweetness upfront that carries through to the finish. Overall flavor profile is weak, but what is there is dominated by the same cereal grain that was prominent in the nose. Underneath that there are weak notes of caramel, clean alcohol, hint of breadiness, and a slightly metallic taste in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Fuller end of light bodied. Medium carbonation. Finishes fairly clean.

Overall: I didn't try any of the other Project 12 beers, but if this is the winner, then apparently I didn't miss much. This beer isn't awful, and it is a step up from regular Bud and Bud Light, but that's the best thing I can say about it. I tried it once to satisfy my curiosity, I'd never get it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 05:04:28 | More by Jonada

BucannonXC5

California

2.93/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Firestone pint glass
From: Clem’s Bottle House in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $8.99 for a 6-pack
Purchased: April 13, 2013
Consumed: April 13, 2013
Misc.: Born on date of Jan. 12, 2013

Poured a honey amber clear color with two fingers of off-white head. Surprisingly some nice looking sporadic and foamy lacing on the sides of the glass. Average-to-good retention on the top.

Smelled that familiar Budweiser notes right away. No mistaking that. Malty more than anything else, including sugary cereal, sourdough bread, honey, grass and hay. A faint whiff of lemon late.

The taste was familiar to Budweiser as well and similar to the nose. Got honey, cereal, sourdough bread and faint lemon grass, albeit watery versions of each. Pretty bland overall.

Light body. Thin-to-creamy texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, watery finish.

Much better than I thought it would be, but I still wouldn’t order it at a bar.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 06:12:49 | More by BucannonXC5

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.41/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Born on 16 Jan 13

Pours an effervescent honey color with a pinky of pearl colored head. Decent lacing & traces of head retention

S: Pears & a touch of perfumey hops

T: Follows the nose, a bit of white grape & a touch of soapyness & ever so slight metallic notes, not really detractor though. Delicate lemon hop notes as this warms, then a touch of green & honey crisp apple as this warms. Finishes crisp, fruitty & with faint herbal bitterness

MF: Medium bodied, crisp carbonation; fairly good balance

Decent drinkability, not super complex, but I could do a few of these on a hot day (like today). One of the better beers from the evil empire I've had in a while. A heavier hand with the hops would've been my preference though from a taste & style perspective

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:53:49 | More by russpowell

tdm168

North Carolina

3.34/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A - dark copper bordering on amber with a thin, frothy, white head that fades quickly

S - caramel malt, cereal grains, a hint of molasses, woody

T - grainy, caramel, fruity, apple, earthy

M - crisp, medium bodied, a little heavily carbonated, warming alcohol

This isn't a bad beer, but it's a bit rough around the edges. The malt offers a decent flavor profile that isn't typical for an AB product. It could be smoothed out a bit, but as is, it's clean, smooth, and goes down easily. As one would expect, it's very crisp and a bit over carbonated. In the end, this isn't a beer that I'll be going back to. I'm glad I tried it once, and it does meet the requirements of the style nicely. Ultimately, I just need a more flavorful, hoppier lager.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:38:37 | More by tdm168

emerge077

Illinois

2.81/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Bartered for this one, didn't have to buy it, thanks Bill!

Into a Willibecher glass it pours a bright golden amber, a solid inch or two of suds which fizzle away over the course of a minute or so. No lacing, only a patchy broken skim left after the first couple sips.

Funky lagers aroma of yeast and wet grains, vague apple ester is lost in the mix.

Taste is slightly sweet, but finishes fairly dry. Apple, bread crusts, soaking grain husks. Light bitter tang in the aftertaste, which has little to no hop flavor. Gassy carbonation, foams up immediately on contact, producing excessive burps. Taste is decidedly middling to average, many better and some worse in this category. Better than BL Platinum...

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 23:58:06 | More by emerge077

bourbonbock

New York

2.05/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Picked up a 12 pack of this because of the awesome commercial during the superbowl... not really, it was just cheaper than buying soda.

A. Just on this side of amber from straw yellow. A little bit of head and an average amount of carbonation.

S. Typical budweiser lager aroma, sweet and perhaps a little bit of pears or roasted apples.

T. This beer doesn't have much flavor but it does taste a little more mature than regular bud however I think I would still prefer regular bud. It appears that they didn't want to wander to far from the path on this one and just threw a bag of caramel malt into the mash.

M. Light and smooth with a very light body and not much aftertaste.

Overall I don't know what this beer is trying to do. I would rather buy amber bock which at least has some balls. Don't bother with this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 22:01:55 | More by bourbonbock

Pegasus

Texas

3.45/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear, deep reddish-amber with a prominent, slightly coarse white head, which retains well. The lacing is scattered and broken; the carbonation is modest and fast-rising.

Aroma: Slightly spicy, tangy aroma, with dark caramel, toasted malt, and grassy notes. The spicy notes presumably arise form the hops.

Taste: Opens with a modest wave of hops, toasted malt, and dark caramel. As the taste progresses, the hops intensify a bit. There is also a modest note of wood, later in the taste, perhaps the famed "Beechwood". The taste draws to a close with a modest spicy, hoppy note.

Mouth feel: A touch thin, with stinging carbonation, dry at the finish.

Drinkability/notes: Better than expected. I would not choose this over a decent craft beer, bu that being said, its not bad, and is far and away more appealing than Anheuser-Busch's flagship product, Budweiser.

Presentation: Packaged in a standard twelve-ounce brown glass long-neck bottle with a twist-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

Source: Purchased at Wal-Mart in Texas as a selection of a Brewmaster's Choice build-your-own six-pack for $8.99.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 14:13:49 | More by Pegasus

burnerfinger

Texas

4.01/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

got this at fuzzy's over lunch one day:
poured from the 12 oz bottle into the frozen glass:

A slightly darker than the standard bud straw color / super fluffy head.

S smells better than bud! just a touch of hops and also that ABV smell

T slighty hoppy and a decent malt touch with none of the metallic macro taste!

M again, marginally better than the macro version

D NOT bad! bud not as good as a real craft beer. havent really priced it yet, its good if it's significantly cheaper than a craft.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 03:42:47 | More by burnerfinger

scottfrie

California

2.7/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

12oz bottle into SA perfect pint.

A: Pours a light caramel-golden with yellow highlights. A finger of short lived fizzy head faded into a thick and lasting collar.
S: Light notes of spicy hops, roasted grains and a kiss of caramel malts alongside peppery lager yeast.
T: More roasted and amber flavors than the original Bud. Toasted grains and adjuncts dominate with the peppery yeast and mild spicy hop extract. I get a hint of caramel as well. The finish is almost sour and the aftertaste is chemically and fake. Very off putting as it warms.
M: Fuller body, creamy mouthfeel, soft fluffy carbonation is pretty active. Drinks thicker than water but I’m still getting a strange sour bitterness.
O: I can see where they were going with this but I thought it was pretty gross. Given the choice I’d rather drink normal Bud. Not worth the money.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 22:12:15 | More by scottfrie

mdfb79

New York

2.86/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

From 03/31/13 notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pours a clear, bright yellow color with lots white head, over two fingers, and high carbonation evident. Looks like most Bud products.

s - Smells of wheat, light floral notes, grains, bready malts, light must. Not too bad but not much going on at all; pretty bland.

t - Tastes of wheat, floral notes, grains, bready malts, light fruit, earthy notes. Better than the taste. Some light sweetness or fruit, which is decent. Average.

m - light and watery mouthfeel with high carbonation evident. Over carbonated like some of their other products but easy to drink; no skunkiness and no alcohol presence.

o - Overall a below average ale from Bud, but still better than Bud Light and Bud Heavy. Seems like a closer attempt to something craft than there other products, but still not great. Worth checking out if you're stuck at a bar or house with only BMC products, but if you have a choice of something craft, it will probably still be better than this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 15:01:16 | More by mdfb79

YardmanFTB

Maryland

2.63/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer is the "platinum" version of "Bud Heavy". Some advertisement claimed this beer to have won a competition between Budweiser brewers. This cannot be possible. It exists to pump a little more alcohol into regular Budweiser. I'm sure the drunks will buy it at least.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 03:12:34 | More by YardmanFTB

GossageBrewery

Missouri

2.95/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Poured 12 oz American Amber Lager from a bottle into a pint glass. Poured a clear amber color, produced a thin white head, poor retention and left no lacing on the glass.
The aroma of this brew consisted of pale malted grain, and a slight hint of floral hops. Light in body, there is a foundation of malted grain, a slight amount of hops and a dry finish. Overall, disappointing, perhaps a bit more flavor then Budweiser, but leaves a lot to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 18:47:55 | More by GossageBrewery

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.16/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

22 ounce bottle poured into a hotel glass.

Pours clear gold with a hint of darkness. Bright copper. White foam then none. Caramel and corn nose. Thin watered taste, light sweetness. Caramel pokes through. Bud lurks beneath the surface. Very little bite. Slight flavor but nothing great. 3 3 325 3 325

A step up from Bud Bud Light Bud Heavy etc, but a lightweight in the real world

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 10:16:53 | More by KTCamm