Anheuser Busch Christams Beer??

[wedgeseven]

I was at a friends house today and his parents have a six pack of Anheuser Busch Christmas (ale?) from 1995 I was wondering if anyone has ever tried this beer or has heard of any more recent offerings...I know I know its from the good old macro brewing powerhouse but just kind of caught my eye, and was interesed being as I haven't heard of them offering anything like this....and being as I was 12 when this beer came out don't have any knowledge of it

[fretlessman71]

VERY interesting... quite a collector's item, I'd bet. Neither BA nor RateBeer has any mention of a Christmas Ale under the AB heading. Chaz might know, though, or steveh... they're the resident expert/heavy post-types here. I'm just mouthy! ;)

[wedgeseven]

did a little searching and found a picture of the bottles.

http://www.brewpalace.com/BottleImages/AnheuserBusch-ChristmasBrew-12oz_1.jpg

[fretlessman71]

Reminds me of when Coors used to do the WinterFest offering each year... probably not the best beer in the world, but it brings back memories...

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Reminds me of when Coors used to do the WinterFest offering each year... probably not the best beer in the world, but it brings back memories...

Same here. When I was younger and in the Army many a night over the Christmas holiday were spent sipping some of that crap with some good friends. Some still here and some waiting for us on the final objective.

Rest in peace Fitz!

[Stodbrew]

I remember that stuff. Never tried it, though.

[steveh]

I can remember seeing it back when, but the A/B on the label always diverted my hand.

When the Coors Winter first came out (1984 or 85?) it was pretty good, but it slowly declined to what tasted like regular Coors with a little extra caramel malt added.

S.

[Stodbrew]

Wasn't it part of that whole lineup of the likes of AB's Black and Tan, Faust, and a few others that slip my mind. They called it something like the Classic Style Series, maybe?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
I can remember seeing it back when, but the A/B on the label always diverted my hand.

S.

Same.

[shifty brewer]

They started doing that in the winter of 94. They came out with a couple sampler packs. Amber Bock, Maple, Hefe, a honey wheat (I think) black and tan, and maybe even a porter. They only thing that took off was the Amber Bock.

[davesarman]

I remember that beer. I think I even had one. Don't remember anything about it, so that gives you some indication of how good it was. Does anyone remember Miller Reserve? That came out in late 80's/early 90's, I think. It was an all malt beer, and from what I remember wasn't that bad. It may have been a little ahead of it's time and had no marketing support, so I suppose that's why it died off.

[Stodbrew]

I do remember the Miller Reserve, and you're right, it wasn't a bad beer at all.

[chazwicke]

Remember Miller Clear?

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Remember Miller Clear?



That one must have come in under my radar. How long ago was that?

[chazwicke]

It was test marketed only. I think if I remember correctly, Richmond was one of the test areas. Anyway, they filtered out all the color and of course any flavor too. I found this:

http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000728.html

[davesarman]

Miller Clear was available in MN. Never had it. I think it was late 80's, early 90's as well. There was a craze for a while where we had clear beer, clear soda (pop), clear toothpaste, etc...

[steveh]

One of my cousins was working weeks in Minn and traveling back to our area weekends at the time of Miller Clear Beer - he brought a bottle for me knowing my interest. It was (even more) flavorless swill. IIRC, it had a faint corn flavor. Nothing like starting with very little and filtering out all of the rest.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Yeah! It's like saying, "We know our beer tastes like crap, so here's a version without any of the bad flavor... but you can still get drunk on it!" :rolleyes:

Not much better is "DNA" -- alcoholic spring water. WHY???

[chazwicke]

They are always looking to create a new trend. Thigs like Clear, Dry, or Ice beers. I know. I know. Ice beer has been around forever but they tried to create a trend by marketing it again.

[fretlessman71]

I wish the country would rise as a whole, and say, "I don't WANT to be a marketing test rat - I just want a good beer." Probably asking too much...

Sorry if I sound cynical... election day does that to me. *sigh*

[shifty brewer]

The Miller Reserve, was that the red can? I think it was the mid 90's, I was in college. It wasn't awful anyhow.

[chazwicke]

Big M Miller Malt Liquor was marketed in a red can in th 1970s. I think in an effort to go head to head with Schlitz Malt Liquor. Bud also had a malt liquor and also at one time made a bock. Bud Bock cans in good condition are quite valuable.