Budweiser American Ale

Budweiser American Ale

• Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Cartersville

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Anheuser-Busch

Budweiser American Ale.

BOB TOWNSEND
BEER PICK

E-mail Townsend

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• Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast.

• $6.59-$7.49 / six-pack at metro beverage and grocery stores, beginning Sept. 29; on draft now at Summits Wayside Tavern locations, several Taco Mac locations and other metro beer bars.

• Profile: There’s certainly some irony in the release of Budweiser American Ale at a time when Anheuser-Busch has struck a takeover deal with Belgian beer giant InBev. But brewmaster Eric Beck had been experimenting with various versions of an amber-style ale at the company’s pilot brewery in St. Louis for about 18 months before A-B tasting panels settled on the final version. From the bottle cap (which requires an opener rather than a twist of the wrist) to the all-malt and American hops recipe (dry-hopped with Cascade hops), it’s clear the goal was to charm craft beer drinkers while creating an ale that Budweiser devotees could embrace. How successful it will be in either case is a big question. Budweiser American Ale is an appealing, medium-bodied brew, featuring a deep amber color, billowing tan head, bready, slightly citrusy aroma, and a toasted caramel malt flavor, backed by some tangy bitterness.

• Pair with: The caramel malt flavor of Budweiser American Ale would make a good match for steak frites. It also would pair easily with all kinds of pub grub — including, nachos, chili, burgers and barbecue.