Budweiser Brewmasters Battle, Anheuser-Busch Releases Final Six Small-Batch ZIP Code Named Beers

I for one am really glad to see that ABiB is allowing their brewmasters some creative freedom to create small-batch brews... they've got some really talented people working at all their breweries!

pass.

Too bad they limited themselves to moderate ABV lagers.

The Virginia one sounds interesting, but seriously, 5% ABV beer aged in bourbon barrels?

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Not sure how I feel about crisp and oak/ vanilla in the same bottle. Isn't the whole point of oaking something to add richness and tannin?

I think this is an interesting idea and hopefully a step in the right direction. If there is an honest attemp made by BMC to create and market beers that are truelly higher quality brew that people like then I am all for it. Key word being "honest".

The beer will speak for itself.

"but the beers must fit the hallmarks the Budweiser brand is respected for, such as quality and consistency, and have a very crisp and clean taste."

This is where they went wrong.

So what, a bunch of lagers??? Some of them sound promising with the number of hop varieties, but will we even be able to taste hops? I'm just pessimistic. The bourbon and wheat sound alright, but I'm a little disappointed that my home city of Columbus couldn't come up with something better than a 6% amber lager. Seems like AB doesn't understand the drinking community they are trying to appeal to. We want ALES for crying out loud. Sure, some lagers are good, but let's face it, ales are where it's at.

Lagers can be super exciting just look at a brewery like Jack's Abby. They only make lagers but yet the amount of flavor and variety they are able to produce while still remaining refreshing and sessionable actually makes them one of the most exciting craft breweries for me.

I actually think it was a good idea to stick with Lagers. They're staying with what put Budweiser on top and have. If they had all come out with a bunch of wildly different beers using different yeasts, then it would seem more gimmicky to me, not that this isn't gimmicky.

That being said, I don't imagine they really had the creative freedom this release suggests. There was probably a steering committee and organizational approval for every step.

Also note the locations. Colorado is the only one with much of a craft-centric reputation.

Bunch of haters.
If a craft brewery did this, you guys would all be excited for it.

ABi is damned if they do and damned if they don't with you guys.
I'm gonna give it a shot, I've been digging on Amber Lagers lately, if they don't throw a bunch of rice in the malt bills, i'm sure there will be a few tasty beers in the bunch.

The concept is cool, but the results are: 4 amber/golden lagers, 1 wheat lager, and 1 bbl lager. The one that sticks out is the bourbon barrel, but that sounds a lot like Kentucky Bourbon Barrell Ale from Lexington. (if the result is similar, I'd prefer the amber/gold lagers) All that said, I'm a little curious what these beers will taste like, but I'm not going to be stalking budweiser trucks, in anticipation of thier release.

Theres a local Bourbon Barrel Lager from Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, and it worked out fantastically.

I'll try them, I wouldn't expect a lot of hops in the ones mentioning 6 or 8 varieties - ok, that sounds weird, what I mean is they use a variety of hops in Bud and Bud Light so none of them are identifiable, helps keep the product consistent. Been a while since I went on the tour but I think they even had some Columbus

The Hallertau and Tettnang one I'd look forward too, Tett is a favorite of mine



ed: Re: the number of varieties in Bud
http://greatbrewers.com/brand/budweiser-family

or from an AB wholesaler
http://www.abwholesaler.com/group01/absalesoftulsa/OurBrands/BEERINGREDIENTS

Using a ton of hops, so that nothing is identifiable except "there's a little bit of hop" here is one of their methods.

Dude it isn't because they are AB. It is because none of these beers are very creative. The Virginia one is a little outside the box, at least for Bud, but it still doesn't excite me. I doubt too many BA's would be excited even if LA or GI were brewing these. Craft beer fans want flavor. Based on the description, and what we have historically seen from Bud, it is hard to be optimistic about these. They could still brew lagers that are both creative and still interest the masses.
Maybe they could take that wheat beer and throw it in some rum barrels?

How about a nice fresh summer lager with a good hop bite we can taste (think lager version of zombie dust)?

Maybe some kind of spiced lager, maybe using a different spice blends for different holidays or times of year?

I just waisted a few minutes of my life reading about Budweiser. I have never been excited or interested in what they are doing.

The other six that didn't make the cut probably brewed half decent beers, for which they were disqualified.

Ugh. Concentrating on lager is fine if you want varying degrees of average but if we have an average brewer (or less than) they will pursue the average consumer. But hey, they got some press. It appears that the only way AB can get a semi-quality beer in their stable is by buying someone elses. All that money and technology and experience and the best they create is Shock Top and a headache? Good luck with that.

Lipstick on a pig...

you are all missing the point. These are brewery only releases. You don't go for these beers you go for the epic bottles share the night before.

lol @ "small batch"

I'm actually interested in trying these. Who knows, they might be great!

Bourbon barrel budweiser..never thought I'd see the day..

Slogan: "Sipability"

I seem to recall that there were 1 oe 2 regional breweries that had brew named after a particular city.Somewhere in the Midwest IIRC.As part of a whole attempt to get a piece of the market I believe I did hear where they bought the rights or trademarked some Zip codes.Is that even possible?This also seems to be along those lines.Most likely due to the fact that craft beer is 1 of the biggest growing markets as of late.I wouldn't count them out as inferior attempts,but I would be very skeptical.Plus no BUD drinker would even be willing to spend an extra penny for something other than Bud.IMHO

Whatever happened to American Ale:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/43118

This was the best attempt they made at satisfying beer drinkers who actually enjoy the taste of beer.

My guess is the Bourbon one is based in some way on their "Winter's Bourbon Cask" beer AKA "Artificial Vanilla Cream Sodacicle"

Endstate:

ABinbev could one day make a great beer but I still wouldn't buy/drink it. Because the goal for them is capitalism and not "Let's be a productive member in the craft beer scene who doesn't put other breweries down.", I won't spend money on their shit. I fully understand that for big business like that, the almighty dollar trumps all, but I can't stand idly by and sample their piss poor experimental lagers while they attempt to muscle out all the small breweries that we love. This includes not buying GI.

And if I've seen it before, ill see it a thousand more fucking times: "Oh well your just a d-bag kmatlack, if you don't buy BCBS then thats just more on the shelves for me....Ha ha ha ha yeah, bro."

if AB is letting those brewmasters express some creativity, good for them. i definitely won't be buying any of it though.

So far I've tried #23185 bourbon / vanilla and the #63118 pilsner [that might be close to the original Bud of the 19th century].
I have enjoyed both and look forward to trying the rest of this series.
This would be good "Gateway Beer" for ale lovers to try.

Alltruistic consumerism. I really do admire those who can boycott all forms of mega-corporate evil.
Llike they say, you gotta be able to "walk the walk" before you got the right to any "talk".
Naturally, you boycott all forms of fast food, processed food, "big box" stores and all other consumable goods that have put millions of folks [like small farmers] out of business.
Bravo.

I had the 23185 a few weeks ago and, yeah, it actually wasn't half bad once it warmed a little.

Bravo on your strawman argument as well. The question is whether or not there are better local alternatives.

In the case of beer, one of the main benefits of micro-brew is that it's a local endeavor where the brewery often becomes part of the beer culture. Unique one-offs on tap, collaborations with other local breweries, holding festivals, fundraisers for local charities, etc, these are all things that InBev will never be able to duplicate. Even if their beer quality miraculously increased, there are still better alternatives easily available so why would I ever buy from InBev?

Likewise, at least where I live there are plenty of local fast-food options (local chains, food carts, etc.). I haven't set foot in a national/global fast food chain in years.

On the other hand, the last time I checked there was no way to get an locally built phone, car, etc. Those are things that by their very nature require large corporations and global exploitation. You can be against that exploitation but also realize that you don't have any viable alternatives.

It is not an all or nothing proposition that says if you don't support InBev you can't support any company anywhere.

You are quite wrong about not being able to source the US made "neccessities" like a phone and a car.
I can furnish you with both items just as quickly as you can send me your money.
Save me from the Cesar Chavez rhetoric, unless you are truly and completely off grid. Don't say it can't be done, either.
In the meantime, the 3 brews in this Budweiser 12 pack are well worth trying [unless you are one of those who are trying to save the "Craft Beer World"]
This beer is for those who would enjoy what tastes like home brewed lager from a mass producer..so it's quite a novelty.

You will have to provide more info on that.

Literally everything electronic is at least partially manufactured in Asia. Everything from the metals used to the components, plastics, and everything else depends on the global economy. You are either delusional or you drive around in a Flintstones car.

Further, you completely missed the point. There is nothing wrong with people choosing to support local beer but drive a Japanese car. Consumer advocacy is always tempered by convenience. We all agree that pollution is bad, but it doesn't mean that we can't be environmentalists unless we renounce electricity.

Quite frankly, your extreme views are insane, but whatever man. That's just more micro-brew for me.

^^ THIS

News Flash..!!
You can still support your local brewers, you can still support craft brewers all across our land and you can STILL manage to sneak a few of these Buds down the hatch without making 1 spit's worth of difference in that vast ocean of beer out there....
or...
you can decide to hold steadfast to your sworn duty to denounce any and all evil doings that are going on in Budland.
Talk about insane.

Yes newsflash, people can decide to drink whatever they want. You were the one that started this by criticizing some guy just because he doesn't want to drink things produced by InBev. As if he has any less of a "right to talk" than you. You should take your own advice.

If you fail to see the hypocrisy with your "consumer advocacy when it's convenient" words to live by.....
Well, continue to fight the good fight there Mahatma.

Of course you are entitled to your opinions, but may I point out there are only 2 kinds of breweries. 1. The kind that is in it to make money to pay employees, buy raw ingredients, cover the rest of their overhead expenses, and create value for the owner. 2. The kind that is closed with a For Sale sign on the window.

Here is the difference between your idealized small craft brewer and a large brewing corporation. The large brewing corporation wants their beer showcased in supermarket refrigerators and on shelves to the exclusion of all other beers, and they control enough market share to force distributors and retailers to do it. The small guys want their beer showcased in those same locations, and the distributors and retailers ignore them completely and have a laugh about it over drinks later. That is the only difference, and if you think I am wrong I suggest you never get into commercial brewing, as you will keep your idealism while posting the For Sale sign in your brewery's window.

Innis & Gunn has done this with several of their beers and they weren't too bad either. Low ABV, aged in barrels too.

cavedave,

That's not completely true. Yes, you have to pay your employees, cover costs, and make a profit, but that's where the similarities end. There is an amazing camaraderie among craft breweries that just doesn't exist with the big boys.