It was a first of many for this humble beer guru last night. First time making a bad dip. First time for watching multiple Bravo shows with my wife. First time drinking a wheat beer from Budweiser. I have a few friends that share inappropriate feelings for BL Wheat, so I thought I would give it a swig and see if it went down like a decent wheat. Since I (your humble beer lord) spend my days in the food and beverage development business, I figured I would add some critiques of the most popular American draughts across the country. I will not segregate premium ales, nor inferior lagers, just a straight opinion on what is on your shelf at the local grocer, dive bar or convenient store.
Budweiser Light Wheat
This style takes on and beer that is specially herbed and or spiced. This is anything from the common spiced Fall Pumpkin beer to Christmas beers with nutmeg and cinnamon to ginger beers to heather ales. Some brewers will throw just about anything into the brew kettle; hot peppers, hemp, ginseng or spruce needles. It's a middle America take on the popular Blue Moon.
The Tasting
I've actually been curious about this brew for a while now, so when I got the chance to try it finally, I dove right in.
At first Bud Light Golden Wheat smells like a bud light, but after that initial whiff I pick up some orange, nutmeg and a wheat notes.
A friend described this beer as a mix of Hoegaarden and Bud Light, and I think in a general sense that he was correct. All of the bud light flavors are there, but they are muted or dulled. The void left by the loss of all that taste-bud-popping bud light flavor is replaced by a bit of orange, coriander, and a pretty noticeable wheat character. It's an insulting comparison to Hoegaarden, but Bud Light Wheat is better than Bud Light and their shitty Super Bowl commercials.
Chopbiscuit Grade:
B-
