Budweiser Black Crown - Anheuser-Busch

ACasualObserver

4.33/5  rDev +51.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

While others may have more experience judging beer quality, few share an experience level which dates back to 1964 and includes four years at the Vermont university once attended by the founder of AA. Life Magazine once stated, "You can find your way to Norwich University from anywhere in Vermont by following the trail of beer cans along the side of the road."

Black Crown was introduced to me at the Molly's House Charity Polo Event at the Port Mayaca Polo Club on the edge of Lake Okeechobee this past weekend. The bottle was not refrigerated and was served at approximately 68 degrees. Hesitant in view of the circumstances, the first taste was the smallest of sips. It conveyed a delicate, smooth texture devoid of bitterness. Passing easily from the mouth, it left a pleasant, nutty finish that was particularly refreshing.

The second taste was a full, mustache wetting swig that revealed a medium-bodied, rich and flavorful beer with a hint of sweetness. Everything after confirmed that Black Crown was created to have a broad appeal. Its profile will satisfy without standing out. One might call Black Crown an ideal ham and cheese sandwich beer, perfect accompaniment to an impromptu lunch on the deck under a bright sun. It would also serve as an excellent apres-ski beer in front of a roaring fireplace with friends.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 18:20:17 | More by ACasualObserver

Alextricity

Michigan

2.7/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Born on January 11th 2013. 22oz "bomber" poured into a pint glass. Hey, for $2.19, I decided to try it out.

Appearance: Typical amber color ... EXTREMELY clear. Decent head that goes away quickly. Obviously, no lacing.

Smell: Actually not TOO horrible... a bit of adjuncts in the aroma, but mostly a low-quality malt. I was surprised I didn't hate it. A bit of sweetness as well.

Taste: Tastes not at all like I thought it would... holy HELL is it sweet. It's not awful, but Jesus. Adjunct flavors came through a lot in the beginning. Lots of sweetness, corn, low-quality malts. A woody taste comes through as well. After taste is of cheap malt, but it's inoffensive.

Not the worst beer I've ever had, but bleh. It is what it is... for the price, it's good to get cheap drunk. It's certainly better than Budweiser, but not by much. There's a lot of sweetness, so I expect a lot of adjunct fans to fall in love with this.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 23:28:27 | More by Alextricity

nova009

Kentucky

2.55/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

A- pours a clear golden copper, a few bubbles trickle to the surface, about a one finger fluffy white head, no lacing

S- very sweet, grainy, bready biscuit malt, smells like any other AB product

T- pretty much like the nose, very bready and grainy, sweet, there is a little bit of a nutty flavor here but nothing pronounced, tastes like a slightly nuttier version of Platinum

M- light body, fairly high carbonation, no noticable alcohol burn, no aftertaste

O- this is another lackluster product from AB, there's nothing that really sets this apart from other mass produced products, not offensive but nothing worth noting, wouldn't buy again

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 23:15:02 | More by nova009

nimrod979

Maryland

2.66/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

12 oz brown bottle "Born on: 1/4/13

Appearance: Pours a very clear golden amber. Thin quickly dissipating white head. Not much lacing.

Aroma: Some sweet biscuity malt, Grains.

Taste: Somewhat sweet lager. Biscuity malt and toasted grains come through. Not much else.

Mouthfeel: A bit shy of medium bodied. Good, not overly carbonated. Smooth.

1.49/bottle at Total Wine. Had to try it. Not the worst AB product I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:35:09 | More by nimrod979

giveitatry

3.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 1 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I love the Bud Light Platinum bottle (a beautiful blue) and it's label.

Black Crown's bottle is not impressive, and the labeling leaves a lot to desire. Bud already has
the CROWN on too many other beers.

The bottle should have been completely black, with Gold labeling and not named CROWN.
Maybe it should have been called "BLACK DIAMOND".

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 05:29:27 | More by giveitatry

BierStein711

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev +46%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into pint glass.

Three finger head, amber in color.

Carbonation was heavy! It almost felt like draught carbonation.

Smells of barley, smoke, and beechwood

Tastes: Barley, beechwood, and a nice malty finish!

Overall, this is a good beer. I would call it refreshing to a point, but the finish is dry.

I'd commit to a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 23:33:33 | More by BierStein711

TMoney2591

Illinois

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

What king would wear such a thing? King of the Goths, perhaps? BA-ZING! ... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear amber-brass topped by a finger of relatively short-lived glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises dried caramel, flowers, and a hint of artificial vanilla. The taste focuses on the inherent sweetness of things, adding in a touch of wheatiness for the sake of it. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation, a slightly slick feel, and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, an okay beer, sorta reminiscent of Bud American Ale, but sweeter and less nuanced. Not bad, but nothing to make me wanna buy another one on purpose.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 04:16:14 | More by TMoney2591

BucBasil

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the 12 oz bottle into a mug.

A: Looks pretty good. Solid amber color with an off white head that sticks around for a little while.

S: Pretty malty with a somewhat off note in the back that I can't really place. EDIT: Someone said bananas and that seems right. Weird.

T: Wow, wasn't expecting this from Budweiser. Really smooth and very malty with caramel (as advertised) as well as some toasty bread in the back there. Seems like it's going for a Fat Tire kind of profile. Nothing mind blowing but really solid. This is a good step for the big guys.

I hope they continue to step it up from here. I like this one actually.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 01:07:19 | More by BucBasil

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

2.51/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Consumed 2/1/13

Born on 06JAN13

Appearance: Crystal clear, light amber with gold highlights - low carbonation, which is odd considering this is a Budweiser permutation - small, white head that fades to a few wisps of a cap, leaves a few dots of lacing

Smell: Grains and sweetness, much like the standard Budweiser, aka the "King of Beers," aka "Bud Heavy" - a faint hint of toasted grain that barely smells intentional - corn and rice-like adjunct aromas - sugar, and an unexpected ester scent that really smells like bananas - other than that, very clean, mostly devoid of aroma

Taste: Bland, grainy, but easy to drink - sweet and vaguely toasted grain, adjunct flavors including something that kind of tastes like sugary malt syrup - some grassy bitterness - corn husk - sugary sweetness - seltzer water with artificial sweetener added - not particularly offensive, though

Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, with a sticky, weird finish

Overall: Where's your crown, King Nothing?

Sometimes I feel that the vast majority of BA has an unjustified hatred for AB Inbev. But then I drink a beer like this. This basically tastes like Budweiser with a slightly different malt profile. It's not a complete mess (I've definitely had far worse beers), but it's sub-par on every level. It's like giving a crappy car a fancy paint job. At its core, this tastes more or less like Budweiser. But thanks to marketing, poor unfortunate souls (and me) pay more money for this. At least Bud Light Platinum (BL NUMZ!) has the novelty of being a mainstream, light malt liquor. This is just a more expensive Budweiser.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 22:50:30 | More by angrybabboon

scratch69

Missouri

3.29/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

I poured a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance- Clear golden color with a fingers worth of head. Fair amount of runny lace.

Smell- Faint aroma of toasted malt, grass, and caramel.

Taste- Slightly sweet caramel malt flavor with some biscuit and nutty notes. Very light floral hop presence.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied, crisp, and slightly creamy. Above average amount of carbonation.

Overall- Easy to drink and better than a regular Budweiser, but still a pretty average beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 22:33:39 | More by scratch69

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.4/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2

12 ounce bottle - $1.29 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Born On Date - 04JAN13

Appearance: Pours out a golden-amber body with crystalline clarity and a white fizzly head that evaporates in seconds.

Smell: Toasted malts (though, if, like, let's say toastiness went from a level of 1 to 10, it'd be at 1), some clear corn syrup, a hint of white pepper, and a curious hint of faux banana.

Taste: Minutely toasty, meager pale malts with a little drip of corn sugar sweetness. A sustained tone of the initial sweetness, with a little peppery hint that blips onto the radar and is instantly gone. Sweetish finish with that same touch of thin, thin maltiness.

Mouthfeel: Thin-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: I'd hoped for and would have appreciated something at least tolerable. It was a little less than that.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 01:06:30 | More by ChainGangGuy

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

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

12oz bottle served in a pilsner glass.

L - clear "golden amber" lager, small white head that thins leaving specks of lacing.

S - beechwood, nah it's just grainy.

T - sweet and grainy with a very light bitterness on the finish (beechwood finish?).

F - light/medium bodied, very easy to drink.

O - it is what it is.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 23:03:31 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Jason

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz brown bottle with a freshness date.

LOOK: Deep clear golden hue, decent amount of lace

SMELL: Clean graininess, faint dried grass, hint of banana taffy, soft

TASTE: Supple crispness, light bodied, slight creamy slickness, wet, hint of biscuity malt, vague nuttiness, kiss of alcohol, very modest hopping, subdued wood, quick drying finish, no after taste

Another beer to come from a big brewer that has loads of potential and just does not follow through and is not bold enough to be epic. With that said it lands average, if the flavors did not pull their punches I'd be singing some praise for this brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 03:22:41 | More by Jason

barczar

Kentucky

2.94/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep golden color with a half inch foamy ivory head that dissipates quickly into almost nothing.

Grain, a touch of sourness, which is almost skunky, and alcohol form the aroma.

Flavor reveals lightly floral hops and toasted malt, which becomes nutty at the finish. There's an underlying tang typical of most bud products. Light medicinal phenolic notes emerge late.

Body is a tad watery, with moderate carbonation.

The malty finish saves this beer. Very toffee-like, which detracts from the initial tanginess in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 21:10:15 | More by barczar

KarenG69

1.15/5  rDev -59.6%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1

Budwiser's new "Black Crown" has a unique and interesting flavor profile. - No one ever
This tastes like Bud in a black bottle. This is regular bud in a black bottle. This is not beer. Also, the head is weak and goes away almost immediately. Giving this beer a 1 for smell is a lie. It is actually a 0.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:33:15 | More by KarenG69

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

For a Budweiser product, this stuff is pretty good.

When I twisted off the cap, an impressive amount of smoke appeared. It has a very faint aroma. Actually, I have a hard time picking up any smell.

When poured into my trusty pint glass, a fizzy white head appeared. The head faded fast and left no lacing.

The beer itself is a pleasing golden amber color. Lightly carbonated with a medium body.

The taste is pleasant. Carmel malts, slightly sweet with very little bitterness. There is some slickness to the mouthfeel.

This beer is extremely smooth and easy to drink.

I know, it is still a Budweiser, but it is a better Budweiser.

When you consider the price, it is hard to find fault with this beer.

Other AB attempts to compete with craft beer have been flops, so it will be interesting to see if this beer makes it.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:13:03 | More by JohnFatAss

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.38/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle purchased at Market Basket. Pours a crystal-clear light amber body with a good half inch of off-white head. Hints of wood comprise a rather modest aroma. Wood, bready malt, reminds me of some kind of cracker though I can't think of what kind. Light bodied with moderate to full carbonation. Not bad. Smooth, clean, and pleasant. A good law mower beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 00:42:37 | More by MrHurmateeowish

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.99/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Cracked a bottle open and poured it into my mug. It was a clear golden amber with a quickly fading head. It kind of tastes like a less-amber Yuengling. There's noticeable touch of caramel and toffee over a bit of bread crust. The beer isn't slightly sweet, like a lot of clean macro lagers—especially the ambers. The aroma is too bland and empty, just a vague graininess. If I were you, I'd just go for a Yuengling. It's certainly better than Bud heavy, and is relatively clean in inoffensive. There are just better toasted and amber lagers out on the shelves.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 19:09:57 | More by tempest

SometimesIfart

Michigan

2.61/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours clear yellow with a large frothy white head and loads of carbonation bubbles. Leaves no lacing.

S - Wood, Bready malts, slightly ricey.

T - Predominantly bready up front, followed by a small amount of wood. That's about it.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O - Overall, It was an improvement over it's Project 12 counter-part, but that isn't saying a whole lot.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:01:23 | More by SometimesIfart

GhostKidd956

2.6/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.75

A: Slight golden amber color

S: Sweet grains maybe little hints of apricot. But mostly sweet grains.

T: The taste a little mild caramel malt notes, little pineapple hints as well at that apricot and finishes with a very light simi dry hop/nutty finish.

M: very carbonated :T i feel like i have to really mush around the favor to find it

O: Overall its a decent beer. now as for its tittle as a "Golden amber" eh almost there i feel like it needed to be a lot of hops added and more of the caramel malts to be very more dominated. But i have to admit the hidden alcohol (over load of the sugars) is very well played. It a step up of their regular Budweiser but came a bit short. if you want to be impressed with a domestic beer try coors "Batch 19" those guys killed it

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 04:34:43 | More by GhostKidd956

RichardWalter

California

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

Just a better bud, more golden / amber / darker in pour. As we await the super bowl commercial. Malty, crisp, fresh, smooth, caramel, floral hops, alcohol (6.0). Very little aroma. Hopefully on sale in grocery store. Minimal after taste, pours into glass well with a noticeable head. Worth a try .

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 22:25:54 | More by RichardWalter

tomthumbsblues

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

Poured aggressively into a regular pint glass producing a two finger head which slowly dissipates into a foamy top. No lacing. Amber in color and a few bubbles of carbonation. Sweet malty aroma. First sip has a medicinal/herbal taste and a malty finish. Honestly, I can't taste the hops. Are they even in there? The alcohol definitely hits you after one. This beer is good if you want to get hammered, but taste-wise it's like chewing up a cracker and instead of swallowing, letting the pieces dissolve in your mouth. It's doubtful I would ever get this again, but I just wanted to see what "Black Crown" was all about.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 04:43:36 | More by tomthumbsblues

Zorro

California

3.11/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Clear gold colored beer with a small yet solid off white head.

Smell is on the sweet side and malty. Hop is herbal and earthy with a slight spiciness to it. There is a slight perfume funk to it like an old cosmetics case smells.

Starts out malty and tasting kind of like Michelob. On the sweet side. Malt syrup and toasted grain. Hop is not real strong just a little noble hop flavor.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall this is just average. Pretty much this is Budweiser re-imagined, the result is more or less a maltier Michelob.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 02:01:09 | More by Zorro

Foam

Pennsylvania

2.79/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I've tried to resist considering other reviews of this new Budweiser 'craft' beer and take it in myself. I grabbed 2 bottles last night at a local bottle shop.
It looks/smells/tastes like regular Budweiser with the slightest bit of extra smooth-ness in the finish . It comes off as very restrained / austere compared to the multitude of new-world pilseners, lagers and ales that i've been more recently accustomed to .
They are clearly working to not offend/overwhelm the beer palates of the masses. the macro-swill guzzling type. Apparently Black Crown is being marketed at 20-somethings in an upscale way with aggressive advertising of it to begin during super-bowl half-time ads .

not terrible but not outstanding . again, just Budweiser cleaned up, a bit .

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 15:40:59 | More by Foam

troobie

California

2.13/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2

This is what Bud Ice should be (minus the price point.)

A: Amber. Large head that quickly dissipates to a ring that lasts the entire glass. Some lacing.

S: Smells like a cheap A-B product: Natty Ice, Bud Light Platinum. To be fair there is some Budweiser in the smell. Sugary sweetness dominates followed by alcohol. Some toasted bread. Some citrus. Creamed corn. The smell of rice found in Budweiser is barely present here.

T: Highly disappointing. Think 85% Bud Light Platinum, 15% Budweiser American Ale. The extra 1% ABV is noticeable and creates a warming all the way into my stomach (and brain.) I can't get over how sugary sweet this is. Every "regular" Budweiser flavor is in there and turned-up a little bit. Sorry if you've never had Budweiser as I don't know how to review the taste on this without relating it to Budweiser.

M: Champagne-like carbonation. With a very aggressive pour carbonation is above average, and without an aggressive pour it borders on ridiculous. I really like carbonation in my beers, but this is over the top.

O: I really enjoy Budweiser. Budweiser American Ale seemed like a genuine attempt to step outside the box for A-B. Black Crown seems like an attempt to just sell more beer by finding a few (million) people that like this unique taste. Like Bud Light Platinum, I'll have no desire to buy this again. Even crappy Bud Ice is better than this. I sincerely hope that A-B will one day use its massive resources to brew a truly wonderful version of Budweiser.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 09:14:35 | More by troobie