The Taste

Anheuser-Busch’s new beer, Budweiser American Ale, certainly looks microbrew-ish. It pours a copper amber color, keeps a thick off-white head for a really long time, and comes in a bottle with old-school lettering that looks like it’s been around for 100 years. It doesn’t have much aroma and the bitter notes are too subtle for serious hopheads, but it balances the citrus flavors and toasted malt sweetness admirably.

Brewmaster Eric Beck spent two years developing this ale. He wanted to go where no Bud has gone before, so he branched out beyond lager. And, lo and behold, he's created something that is not light, not predictable and not bad. While it will almost certainly appeal to mainstream tastes, Bud's American Ale might seem a little tame to inveterate beer lovers’ discerning palates. There’s a thinness and a lack of complexity. So why drink this ale? First of all, it will be nationally available, and perhaps it will be a “bridge beer” to stronger, more individual brews. Let’s just hope they don't follow up too soon with a Budweiser American Ale Light.

-- James Oliver Cury