A-B's beer cocktails

[hops99]

I despise A-B at times, and I defend them at other times. I'll let everyone else comment on this, though.

I went to my local A-B/Corona distributor Summer party tonight (I primarily buy displays of Redhook and Negra Modelo/Modelo Especial from them), and they were launching some new product lines for the area. For example, they served Bare Knuckle Stout on tap (which I've had elsewhere before), which I thought was actually pretty decent.

However, the BIG push was a new product called "Sykes". Maybe this is old news for some (they told me it was test-marketed last year), but it's the first that I'd seen or heard of it. Well, "Sykes" is a line of flavored malt beverages that they are marketing to pour/blend with your Bud or Bud Light. You pour a bottle of the stuff in, and it evenly blends throughout the beer, hence the "beer cocktail".

Here are the flavors: Hot Chocolate, Spicy Mango, Spicy Lime, and Hot Melon (save your breast jokes, I was already chuckling all evening like a 15-year old). Whaddya you guys think? The next big thing, or another flop?

[wortchillergoal]

I would guess it is going to depend on the age bracket. I don't see older long time Bud drinkers going for that kind of product. On the other hand, I can see the younger crowd using the flavors. Guys trying to get their girlfriends to drink beer.

I can also see a huge blitz of negative press. It will proclaim that AB is once again targeting the under age market to drink.

The above is the logic and reasoning of a man who likes getting hit by rock hard pucks, process it as you will.

[fretlessman71]

AB is about selling product, right? And more power to them for it. Who knows if it will work - but I can't imagine it lasting for long, personally. In a weird way, they're admitting that their beer is undrinkable as it is, aren't they? :D

[JohnnyV]

Well, at least their beer will have some flavor now.


I can see it being a huge hit with the college crowd/frat boys - I know lots of guys that love "chick drinks" (smirnoff, etc) but don't drink them cause they aren't manly. These additives seem like they'd add flavor/sweetness to frat boy's beloved swill and still allow him to maintain 'manliness'

Just my 3.5 cents

[toneyc]

Heh, the word Sykes will always remind me of an episode of "Alien Nation" where the alien girl explains to Officer Sykes that his name means "Shithead" in their language.

:)
Toney.

[Grog]

When did AB last successfully introduce a new product anyway? What a bunch of Skyes :rolleyes:.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
In a weird way, they're admitting that their beer is undrinkable as it is, aren't they?

Maybe not undrinkable, but certainly flavorless.

What a scam, "Here, pay for this beer-priced water - then buy this flavor to add in - 'cause, like - we forgot?"

Syke is right - as in "Psych!"

S.

[chazwicke]

I just don't get it.

[surfadelic23]

Weird idea...
I did dig their Bare Knucle Stout though. Had it on tap at Busch Gardens in Tampa along with a fairly nice Wheat beer!
Don't know why they don't get marketed (I've never seen them anywhere else)more as they're pretty good beers...
Yeah, I know not as good as "insert your favorite rare niche craft brew" here...

[Dextolen]

Alcopop sales are beating out beer sales. Kiddies like their sweets, apparently. AB isn't the only culprit! Have any of you had Wittekerke Rose?

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by surfadelic23
Weird idea...
I did dig their Bare Knucle Stout though. Had it on tap at Busch Gardens in Tampa along with a fairly nice Wheat beer!
Don't know why they don't get marketed (I've never seen them anywhere else)more as they're pretty good beers...
Yeah, I know not as good as "insert your favorite rare niche craft brew" here...

If I found one of these A-B products somewhere, I'd have one just so I'd have a basis for an opinion. Beyond that, I stand firmly behind my principle to only buy from people or organizations that I respect. There are situations where this isn't always possible, but I sleep better.

[surfadelic23]

"There are situations where this isn't always possible, but I sleep better"

Yeah, I worked for an evile banking empire for ten yrs(even more evile, they had a marketing dept.), I don't really sleep at all though one would think I'd be tired from washing all that blood off my hands:D

[dparsons]

This is what happens when marketing geeks, who have lost reality in the pursuit of corporate whatever, take over product development.

I don't see myself buying it.

I don't see kids buying it much either - usually scraping together enough for a 6 pack means you aren't going to spend extra on something else.

A total waste of good mango.

[newportstorm]

I remember seeing the label approvals for these a while back. Had no clue they were meant to me mixed though. Not for me, but no worse than homemade B&Ts, putting woodruff/syrup in your Berlinerweiss, etc. Time will tell if there's a market for this. If this was sold as some kind of "kit", maybe. Otherwise, I don't see the appeal.

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm
putting woodruff/syrup in your Berlinerweiss, etc.

How did I know you'd be the one to make this comparison? ;)

The comparison isn't at all fair since Berliner Weiß can stand on its own as flavorful and characterful. Spud light is water, at best. Better off with Crystal Light powder mixed in.

S.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by steveh
How did I know you'd be the one to make this comparison? ;)

The comparison isn't at all fair since Berliner Weiß can stand on its own as flavorful and characterful. Spud light is water, at best. Better off with Crystal Light powder mixed in.

S.

You know me too well.

Sure it can stand on it's own. I killed a growler of Berlinerweiss over this past weekend - very tart and refreshing in the boiling heat. A friend, however, couldn't stomach it straight up without making a sourpuss face. Point being some people need sweetness to drink anything - good beer or flavorless beer.

I have another growler in the fridge that will get the syrup treatment for comparison.

And I like Crystal Light. Raspberry Ice hits the spot.

Cheers!

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm
And I like Crystal Light. Raspberry Ice hits the spot.

I triple-dog-dare ya!! Spoon some into a Spud Light - I dare ya!! ;)

S.

For the sake of experiment, it actually may be fun! Maybe I'll try it with some Swiller Lite!

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Point being some people need sweetness to drink anything - good beer or flavorless beer.

No, the point really is that there is no comparison between Berliner Weiß and Spud Light. If you add flavoring to Berliner Weiß, you still have good beer as a base. If you add Crystal Light to Spud Light, you have lemonade (sort of).

S.

[fretlessman71]

No, Steveh... But Light is water at its WORST. ;)

[eppie]

Originally posted by dparsons

A total waste of good mango.

It says mango flavored. You think AB actually uses mangoes?
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[chazwicke]

I think I have a few bottles of Berlinner Weisse in my fridge here at the beach. Thanks for reminding me. I like it both plain and with raspberry syrup. It is a refreshing drink.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by eppie
It says mango flavored. You think AB actually uses mangoes?

Don't know. Most likely not. Either way its a waste. ;)

[dparsons]

Originally posted by steveh
Spud light is ... Better off with Crystal Light powder mixed in.
S.

I really can't imagine a worse drink. Gives me the hebes. I suppose it might be worse if you let mold grow in it, but I think the crystal light inhibits that.

[BignJames]

Not for me, but no worse than homemade B&Ts,

I like my homemade B&T's!

[BigHead]

This bothers me in two ways.

First is the fact that Bud Select needs no help. It has great flavor. Now, that nasty Bud Lite could use some help but I don't think pour in flavors are the answer.

Second thing is, and boy I hate to say this, the beer brewing goalie might be right. I think this is a ploy to lure younger drinkers I don't think that AB should be trying to get underagers drinking by trying to mask the flavor of their beer. One of the things I liked about this board is the way you guys view underage drinking and DWI. Shows the rest of the world that beer drinkers aren't dumb hillbillies.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by BigHead
Now, that nasty Bud Lite could use some help but I don't think pour in flavors are the answer.

I think the key is pour out flavors. Once the can is empty its much better.