How does that
old business adage go? Location, location, location. But I think there's
something that can be even more important than location to a business:
timing, timing, timing. And timing, of course, does not seem to be on the
side of Anheuser-Busch with the release of their Budweiser American Ale.
Why might that be, you ask? Because unless you've been hiding out in a cave
for the last six months or so (and even then I'd be a mite surprised if you
haven't heard), Anheuser-Busch is no longer an American company, having been
gobbled up this summer by the Belgian-Brazilian Inbev conglomerate.
That puts a rather un-American slant on the new American Ale. To be fair,
the boys at Bud have been working on this one for a while, announcing its
arrival well before the Inbev acquisition. Then too, they're trying to
trumpet this as an entirely new style, "American Ale". At the same time,
you've probably seen a lot of billboards lately declaring Budweiser's
flagship beer as "American Lager".
The latter has a bit of a claim to truth, most noticeably because American
lagers like classic Bud, Miller, and Coors have been granted their own
sub-style of American Light Lager (not to be confused with light beers). But
AB has released promotional videos declaring that America really does not
have an ale all its own, and that it really should mind you, and therefore
enter Anheuser-Busch to the rescue with their new beer.
I beg to differ, of course. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale comes to my mind as a
classic American ale, and there are so many more I can't even begin to name
them all. In effect, Budweiser American Ale is really nothing more than an
amber ale (and Miller Brewing really beat them to the punch in that style by
more than a decade with their Miller Reserve Amber Ale).
Still and all, this is a radical departure for AB, who in the past have
relegated anything approaching a craft beer/microbrew to their Michelob
line. The use of select malts and American Cascade hops is touted highly,
and sure enough there's a lot more to this beer than I expected.
Budweiser American Ale pours to a coppery amber brown color with a
light fizzy head formation and a slightly chocolaty, surprisingly malty
nose. The palate is surprising too, with a hint of caramel and even more
chocolate malty flavors to it. But lest you forget you're drinking a
Budweiser beer, let your beer warm slightly and you'll get a hint of green
apple, too.
The technical term for that green apple flavor is acetaldehyde, a compound
that most brewers consider a flaw. But it's present in Budweiser's classic
lager, too, and I'm certainly getting it here. It's almost become a
signature of the lager, and seems now to serve as a link between the latter
and the new ale. As to hops, there are enough to balance, but not enough to
really be noticeable.
Overall impressions? Budweiser American Ale is a drinkable, tasty enough
ale, which is exactly what AB was going for. It's a decent amber ale in the
final analysis, especially for six bucks a six-pack, and while there are
tons more like it already on the market, none come from such a large brewery
as Anheuser-Busch. Is this a sign that the craft beer craze is more than a
fad, and that consumers increasingly want more flavor in their beer? You
betcha. But American Ale is also a double-edged sword for AB, because while
it may generate curiosity business from the notoriously fickle craft beer
crowd, it's unlikely to garner repeat business.
Instead, it may cost them customers, as some Bud drinkers may try it just
because of the name, decide they like it, and end up experimenting with
craft beers from other, smaller brewers.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft