American-style Lager: Budweiser Select

Budweiser Select was introduced in 2005, and it attempted to do what the failed Bud Dry (1989-2010) tried to do- present full-flavored lager beer taste in a light-bodied, low calorie beer. In other words, it is a light beer with a premium beer taste. It could be argued that Bud Dry failed because Anheuser-Busch gave that beer almost no advertising attention after the initial promotional rush, much like what happened with Budweiser American Ale. With Budweiser Select, Anheuser-Busch (InBev) has maintained a consistent, relatively strong advertising regimen for the brand. When sales began to slip around 2010-2011, alongside a reduction in advertising, InBev responded in 2012 with another strong round of advertising, especially on television.

This beer was introduced in 2005, and it is made with 2-row and caramel barely malts (and grain adjuncts) and American and Bavarian hops. According to the brewery, it spends twice as long in the brew house as regular lagers, resulting in a lower calorie and carbohydrate count. Budweiser Select is 4.3% alcohol (the same as Milwaukee's Best, as a point of reference) and has only 99 calories per serving. It is sold in bottle and cans, of various package counts and container sizes.

In 2009, InBev introduced Budweiser Select 55, which is touted by the company as being the lightest beer in the world, of which this writer can attest. Today, the name of that beer is simply Select 55.

I have tried Budweiser Select on a number of occasions and have found it to be well balanced, well crafted, tasty, and enjoyable. It most certainly fulfills its mission. However, one wonders how long this brand will stick around.