BUD ICE
Anheuser-Busch
USA, 5.5% ABV
Thank the lager Gods! Another Bud on the market, but not just a lame, weaker, superfluous counterpart. The difference here is in the brewing process. It’s chilled to just below freezing point, making ice crystals form in the beer. Being a fan of Budweiser, I was a bit hesitant at trying this. I mean, Bud is the king of beers – why would you want to tamper with something so perfect? Bud Ice is a lot lighter than Bud in taste and texture and feels a lot more invigorating. One thing that sometimes gets me about Bud is how gassy it is, so Ice was a welcome improvement. Reluctantly, I gave in and enjoyed this lager. It provided all the enjoyment of Bud, with the added excitement of trying something newer and edgier. This is another lager that is all about progress – they’ve improved a product and shown a great sense of detail. The bottle is well designed, making it appear more dynamic, like the go-getter son of the old-timer, out to prove himself and make his mark in the big bad world of lager. He’s different, he’s a trend-setter, he’s got the looks, chirpier personality, the better packaging, refined taste, he’s the lager of the future. The king is dead. Long live the new king of beers! For the odd session or two, anyway. I dare say Bud Ice was introduced to provide a different Bud experience, a nice change, somewhat snazzier, but probably not something you’d leave the old faithful for. SW
