Budweiser American Ale Reviewed
October 19, 2008
This month I’ve been on something of an Oktoberfest beer streak, trying to review all kinds of Oktoberfest beers – Pumpkin Ales, German Marzens and different American Autumn Ales for The Brew Club. So far, its been good, but I had something in my fridge that made me divert off course! What could it be? (Did you see the title?) Its the beer review for Budweiser American Ale silly!
Budweiser recently released their first Ale and they simply call it Budweiser American Ale. (the other beers they are famous for are a lager, and a lime flavored lager) Liz gave me a bottle at work last week, and me knowing she will drink it but not review it because she’s too involved with Spock is another issue we just won’t go into here. So, I thought I would give it a try myself to see if it is something that was worthy of breaking my Oktoberfest beer streak!
If we start with the pour, the American Ale does create a decent sized, very foamy head that takes its time to go down. There is also some good lacing on the glass which usually indicates some good stuff is in the bottle! Its a really, really, really clear and a beautiful dark amber color – not too carbonated either after my extreme beer pour, but that makes for a more drinkable beer (to me anyway). There is a strong smell of hops from the American Ale in the glass – apparently they are “cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest” that emit such a strong scent, and there is a rich malty smell that I thought balanced it out nicely. Its actually a smell that is GOOD, and generated in me much interest in what the beer might taste like!
OK, so how did I like it? Not bad, but it didn’t taste as good to me as I thought it was going to taste based on the interesting smell. It wasn’t heavy feeling, definitely better than the regular water-like “Bud”, but not anything great either. It had a malty taste that I liked and wasn’t bitter – but it did leave a very sticky feel in my mouth that I wasn’t crazy about at all. The mouthfeel and the aftertaste were the two things that I liked least about the American Ale – taste overall was OK.
I’m not sure how much “Liz the Trekkie” paid for her 6 of American Ale, but I think that maybe for a buck or so more, most people can find something that is more interesting and better tasting. I give AB credit for producing this beer – its light years ahead of the regular Bud in almost every way even though that’s really an apples and oranges comparison, but a comparison I think most people are going to make regardless.
I would have this beer again if Liz were to give me another sample, or if the only other beer on tap was the ‘regular’ stuff!
Rating: 
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Posted in 2 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, American Beers
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October 20th, 2008 at 4:48 am
I was fairly impressed. I’ve read some bad reviews elsewhere that really seemed to be reviews of the brewery rather than the beer. Like you, I found it to be an attractive and quenching amber ale with nice aroma. I could give a toss who makes it. The price might get more attractive too, as craft beer prices keep going up and up…
cheers
October 24th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I’ve been interested to try this but just scared it will have that “Bud” taste to it. So would you say it didn’t have a very hoppy taste?
October 24th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Mike, actually this American Ale stuff did have more of a ‘hoppy’ taste than I would normally expect, or like from an ale. They point that out on the label too that it has a strong hop finish. Eh.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:09 am
This sounds quite interesting. I suspect that maybe the Ale is ‘dry hopped’ to give it a ‘craft ale’ nose, much like the Anchor Steam Brewery do.
I recall that, way back when, I enjoyed a red ale (Red Wolf?) brewed by AB when I visited Busch Gardens.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I think this is real simple. I am a home brewer. I make about 50 cases per year, Making a good red ale is not hard, and making a great ed ale should certainly be in the capabilities of Bud, as it is with lots of Micro’s across the country. I think Bud needs to define who they want to sell this to…..or sell more than one to…..
December 17th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I think the best thing about this beer *is* who makes it: AB.
The beer’s decent: not great, but not horrible, either. What it has going for it is AB’s distribution system. AB should be able to get this beer in almost anywhere if they so choose. And this means that if I’m ever out with friends somewhere that doesn’t have a good beer selection, American Ale might be a good “go to” beer.
Take sports arenas, for example. Sure, you can pay $9 for a 12oz. plastic cup of Guinness in SOME sports venues. But if they sell Guinness at all, it’ll probably be at just one concession stand (in my case, it’s ALWAYS on the other side of the arena!). Having American Ale as a cheaper, more convenient option is cool in my book!
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March 8th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Ignoring the maker is the way to go with this one. It’s not a micro-brew. But it is better by far than anything that you can get from AB at this time.
My girlfriend purchased a six for me as a gift. When I looked at it I thought, “Oh no. Not another one! Not another Miller MGD! ”
But honestly, it has a nice head, a fetching aroma. And it does not have the aftertaste that I expected. Because I expected a horrible aftertaste. Not a great beer. But not bad. That says it. Just not bad. Would drink again.
When my brother comes up from Florida I’m going to give him this in a blind taste test. I respect his authority on all things beer because he taught me everything I know about home brewing.
BTW this reminds me of a home brew in a way. Not a lot of carbonation in it. Interesting,
March 20th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Had AB American Ale for the first time on Superbowl Sunday. It was the first beer of the night that my buddy Boggs and I had. When he offered it to me I was a little apprehensive. We both liked the aroma. Then came the first sip. Let me say that we were both surprised. Not great but definately not a bad tasting ale either. A hundred times better than the so called “king of beers”. I would drink it again with no qualms. I believe that AB could make it better if they cared to do so.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:15 am
This beer isn’t bad coming from AB, the color is really nice and the head is impressive. It loses points on hops. There are none and the taste is kind of one-dimensional, at the same price point as Samuel Adams, I would take almost any of their varieties over this.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Rob, I don’t even know if I’ve seen the American Ale on the shelves anymore. Are they still making it? It seemed like there was a big push when this beer came out, and then nothing. (Granted I haven’t been specifically looking for it either.)
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