Beer Bytes
Budweiser American Ale
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Mich., United States
5.1 percent alc./vol.
$8.99 per 6-pack
I wanted to hate this beer so bad. I mean, American Ale? Seriously? From the same company bought by the foreign beverage producer InBev? Now look, compared to other micro and imported beers, this totally fails. But for Budweiser, American Ale is a step above their usual watered-down goodness. At first you smell the nice floral and citrus notes, a key to any delicious beer. The taste is bitter, but it comes in a bit sweet in the finish. American Ale is copper brown in color and shines with its drinkability. This beer goes down easy, and at 5 percent you can have a few. Try one at the bar, but don’t go out and buy a 6-pack – it’s not worth your money. American Ale is simply generic.
1 of 4 Mugs
Brothers Thelonious
North Coast Brewing Co.
Calif., United States
9.4 percent alc./vol.
$9.99 per 4-pack
A Belgian-style abbey ale, Brothers Thelonious is a dark beer that smells sweet and fruity. On the taste buds, Thelonious comes through with the malts and darker fruits like figs. This beer is produced by the same company that makes Red Seal, one of my all-time favorite ales, so I knew I would be getting something worthwhile. Brothers Thelonious is not the type of drink you want to stock the cooler with, so wait for a special occasion to buy it rather than your weekend BBQ.
2 of 4 mugs
Swallow Wit
Middle Ages Brewing Co.
Syracuse, N.Y.
4.8 percent alc./vol.
$8.99 per 6-pack
This was my first time drinking Middle Ages, and I’ll definitely be having more. For a white beer, it’s pretty good – you can taste fruits like apricot, lemon and orange along with other spices. For a white beer it’s fairly light carbonation-wise, as well as in the flavor department: The best whites have that citrus zing that gives your taste buds a kick. I think Swallow Wit is missing that zing, which makes it easy to drink, but not as enjoyable as others I’ve had.
2 out of 4 Mugs
Published on March 25, 2009 at 12:00 pm
