Anheuser-Busch Seaworld Beer School

[Bruno_78]

Girlfrind and I had the opportunity recently to visit Orlando, Fl, and specifically SeaWorld. The park was very cool, but being that it is operated by A-B, they have a 35 minute beer school. I went into it knowing that I probably wouldn't learn anything, but did it anyway because I wanted the little certificate saying that I was an honorary beermaster. I don't know why I wanted it. What a joke!!! I don't understand how this stuff is the number one selling beer (budweiser) in the world. At one point during the presentation, the statement was made: "At Anheuser-Busch we use only the finest of natural ingredients, such as barley malt, rice, hops, yeast and water."

Even if you ignore the comment about the rice, does this comment make any sense? I guess it's the phrase "such as". As if there were any thing else they could use in place of these ingredients.

On another note, the funniest part of the whole thing was that they made us taste "skunky" beer. They poured two glasses, one "good", one bad, and didn't tell us which was which, then we had to guess. I couldn't tell the difference!!!! Honest to god, there was no palatable difference between the two glasses.

On top of that, they had us try the new World Select, I've seen some of the posts around here on it and I would have to agree with the majority. It's disgusting.

I guess this little trip made me realize how my beer tastes have changed (for the better) lately. I don't know how I ever did it before.

And I don't know what to do with my certificate, any suggestions?

[kgaugler]

Originally posted by Bruno_78

And I don't know what to do with my certificate, any suggestions? [/B]

Might I suggest you take up darts?? Wouldn't it have been more worth your while to go visit the gators again?;)

[Bruno_78]

The gators didn't do much for me, the seals and sea lions however were hilarious.

[hopjack13]

sell it on e-bay! actually if you took the time to get it , you might want to hang on to it. it could be a good conversational thing , when someone asks ;)

[Beaver]

Originally posted by Bruno_78

On another note, the funniest part of the whole thing was that they made us taste "skunky" beer. They poured two glasses, one "good", one bad, and didn't tell us which was which, then we had to guess. I couldn't tell the difference!!!! Honest to god, there was no palatable difference between the two glasses.


At the AB brewery here in Fort Collins, they used to do a taste test for freshness. They'd give you a fresh beer and one that was "old" (maybe 6 months?). My Dad and I both picked the old beer as better. It seemed to have a little more flavor and character to it.

I noticed that since then, they changed from old beer to skunky beer. I think they keep trying to make the "bad" beer worse and worse, until almost everyone will pick the "good" beer. Pretty sad! :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
At Anheuser-Busch we use only the finest of natural ingredients, such as barley malt, rice, hops, yeast and water."

Even if you ignore the comment about the rice, does this comment make any sense?

No, especially since they used the plural form of hop. ;)

S.

[SeaPA]

Originally posted by Beaver
At the AB brewery here in Fort Collins, they used to do a taste test for freshness. They'd give you a fresh beer and one that was "old" (maybe 6 months?). My Dad and I both picked the old beer as better. It seemed to have a little more flavor and character to it.

I noticed that since then, they changed from old beer to skunky beer. I think they keep trying to make the "bad" beer worse and worse, until almost everyone will pick the "good" beer. Pretty sad! :)

That's funny, Beaver. I had a very similar experience 8 or 9 months ago at the Busch Gardens in Tampa. They were doing that taste test thing, with a "new" beer and an "old" beer - promoting their "born-on date." Wifey & I both picked the old beer as the one we liked (or, should I say, could come closest to tolerating). After doing his shtick about the dating process, he told us how they "aged" the other beer (putting it through a series of large temperature changes, from freezing to very hot in a quick time, then repeating the process a few times). I so dearly wanted to tell him "You should do that with ALL of your beers" but figured wifey would elbow me in the ribs.

He did ask if we typically preferred darker beers & indicated that the aged beer takes on a stronger flavor (again had to bite my tongue & not say "you mean takes on A flavor").

[brewmonkey]

Several years ago while we were out in Denver for the GABF about 40 or so of the brewers attending the festival hit the Coors tour, all at the same time. That poor tour guide was almost crying when they got through with the questions. It had tobe one of the funniest things I have seen happen on a tour.

[Beaver]

That would have been quite a sight to see, Brewmonkey!

[steveh]

That's a sad thing to throw on an unsuspecting, minimum wage employee Brew! I took the same tour back in 2000 and it was all I could do to refrain from brew-geek questions at every turn. "So, if you use only the finest ingredients available, why does your beer taste so, what's the word I'm looking for here, oh yes - bland?"

S.

[wortchillergoal]

On the tour note, kinda, our zoo has a beer tasting event every eummer. It used to be great then AB took it over abd through booth rental charges and other requirements forced out alot of smaller brewers.

My company is one of the sponsors, so I went last summer. At the Stella Artois booth, they had something esle on too but cant remeber, I replied when asked that I didn't want a Stella as I found it to be nothing special. The offended rep said that it was the number one selling Belguim import in America and how could it not be special. I simply said,"Special, yeah that is why they export aso much of it." That remark got me a jab in the ribs from my lovely wife.

[Prankasaur]

My family and I went to SeaWorld last year. I signed up for the Beer School but it was cancelled (It was December 15th, not the ideal tourist time). Even though their beer is questionable, if not lousy, they sure have a lot of class. I was surprised at how friendly and outgoing all the workers were there. We had a great time at Seaworld, I just wish their beers were drinkable.