Busch

Busch Beer, sold as Busch Bavarian Beer until made nationally available 1979, is Anheuser-
Busch's very popular value-priced beer.  It was introduced on a regional basis in 1955.
Busch Light was introduced in 1989 and is ranked yearly in the top ten beers sold in
America.  Both Busch brands receive heavy television, radio, and print advertising attention.
Busch is sold in many different varieties of cans and bottles and in many different packages.
Availability is widespread, and you are sure to find Busch wherever beer is sold.  In 1995,
Anheuser-Busch introduced a third Busch product, Busch Ice (5.9% alcohol), but this has
never been available on a national basis, and is only sold in select regions.  I have never seen
it south of Memphis, Tenn., for instance.  Busch has a milder taste and lighter body than
Budweiser, and the alcohol level at 4.3% is also lower than Bud (at 5%).  A new regional brand, Busch Signature Copper Lager, was introduced on a regional basis in late 2013. This excellent
brew is also guaranteed to have the outstanding consistency and quality one is assured of
with an Anheuser-Busch product.  Busch fits in beautifully at a barbecue, fish fry, or other
casual get-together.  I recommend giving this a try!

Michelob

Michelob has been Anheuser-Busch's super-premium beer since the brand's introduction in
1896.  Until 1961, when it became available in unusual, hour-glass shaped bottles with a
paper shroud at the head, Michelob was only available on tap as a "draft beer for
connoisseurs."  The canned version hit the market in 1967.  In 2009, Michelob abandoned
(and had done this once before earlier in the decade) the unusual bottle design.  The current
bottle is a more standard long-neck, but it does have unique glass formations.  Alcohol
content is 5% (as it has always been) and the international bitterness unit rating is light to
moderate at 18.  Also, in 2009 Michelob was taken away from its super-premium
designation, and brought into more of a craft beer status, the new recipe being all-malt
with no corn or rice adjuncts.  Today, the Michelob Brewing Company (a division of
Anheuser-Busch/InBev) offers an array of craft beers:  Original Michelob, Michelob Light,
Michelob Porter, Michelob Pale Ale, Michelob Shock Top (citrus wheat ale), Michelob
Ginger Wheat, Michelob Dunkel Weisse, Michelob Irish Red, Michelob Honey Lager,
Michelob Amber Bock, Michelob Honey Wheat, Michelob Marzen, Michelob Bavarian-
Style Wheat, Michelob Rye P.A., Michelob Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale, Michelob Hop
Hound, Michelob Beach Bum, Michelob Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale, Michelob Winter
Cask Ale, and others that are not included in the Michelob craft family, but are either
promoted within the Anheuser-Busch main operation or are within the low-carb Michelob
Ultra family, these being Michelob Golden Draft, Michelob Golden Draft Light, Michelob
Ultra, Michelob Ultra Amber, Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus, and Michelob Ultra
Pomegranate Raspberry. As you can see, the Michelob line offers an incredible array of
styles and sub-brands.

Michelob is usually seen in 12 oz. bottles in 6 or 12 packs.  But, you will see Michelob,
Michelob Light, Michelob Golden Draft, or Michelob Golden Draft Light in cans from time to
time.  By the way, the Michelob Golden Draft/Golden Draft Light sub-line is only sold in the
Midwest, mainly Minnesota, where "Goldy Light" is wildly popular. 

Michelob Original Lager has a rich, full-bodied flavor, and one will appreciate the dedication
and care that Anheuser-Busch has given to this brand for over 100 years.  It is a delight to
drink, and I'd strongly recommend that you partake in a Michelob sampling adventure.

NOTE:  As of 2013, only the Michelob, Michelob Light, Michelob AmberBock Michelob Brewing Company portfolio.

Bud Ice

Bud Ice was introduced in 1994, following the explosive reception of Miller's Icehouse the
previous year.  During this 1990s ice beer fad, pretty much every major beer brand was
given its ice beer counterpart (Schlitz Ice, Schlitz Bull Ice, Old Milwaukee Ice, Milwaukee's
Best Ice, Busch Ice, Coors Arctic Ice, Genesee Ice, Keystone Ice, etc.).  Michelob was
never given the ice treatment, however.  The ice brewing process results in a higher-alcohol
beer with a crisper finish.  Bud Ice, with 5.5% alcohol, has a relatively lower content than
other ice beers, which are usually set at 5.9%.  Bud Ice Light (4.1% alcohol) was offered
alongside Bud Ice for those preferring a lighter-bodied beer, however, it was discontinued
in 2010.

Bud Ice is usually sold in 12 oz. bottles and cans in 6, 12, 16, 18, 24, and 30 packs.  One can 
also find singles of Bud Ice in 18 oz. brown bottles, clear glass being the usual bottle for the 
brand.  Interestingly, before the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by InBev of Belgium, Bud 
Ice/Bud Ice Light was always sold in distinctive ice-cut styled bottles.  InBev must have 
determined this to be cost-prohibitive, because they now sell Bud Ice and Michelob (also 
formerly sold in distinctive bottles) in ordinary bottles, although the 18 oz. brown Bud Ice 
bottle has it's own unusual (bubble-top?) shape.

Bud Ice has a semi-sweet, full-bodied, crisp flavor, and the elevated alcohol level is
detectable in the back end of the sip.  It is recommended that this beer be consumed poured
from the 18 oz. brown bottle or from cans, as the clear glass may allow light to spoil the drink.
Bud Ice is a good choice for those appreciating an ice beer, but considering its price range
(premium), one might want to sample Anheuser-Busch's Natural Ice, which is priced at the
sub-premium level, but has a similar taste profile, higher alcohol (5.9%), and is sold in cans
and only brown bottles.

Consumers can rest assured that Bud Ice will (especially in the can/brown bottle) always
conform to Anheuser-Busch's exceptionally high quality standards.

Bud Dry (1989-2010)

Bud Dry, introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 1989, was the first dry-brewed beer made in
America.  It had a lighter body and a less-sweet taste.  Bud Dry was double-cold filtered
and was considered a "hybrid beer" by the company, being a cross between a light beer
and a full-bodied regular beer, however, it still had the alcohol content (5%) one would
expect in a regular beer.  The calorie level was only 130, falling between Bud Light (110)
and Budweiser (145).  Even with its unique taste and unusual style, coupled with a massive
ad campaign in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bud Dry never caught the public's fancy.
Some other brewers, anticipating a large dry beer demand, even brought out their own dry
beers (Olympia Dry and Michelob Dry, as examples).  For the last eighteen or so years,
Bud Dry received absolutely no advertising attention, and its availability (usually in 12
packs of 12 oz. cans) was spotty.  I found Bud Dry to be a very good, albeit unusual,
beer.  It was obviously produced according to Anheuser-Busch's fanatical quality control
standards, but in later years was positioned in the value-priced pricing segment (usually
about $7.00 per 12-pack).  In July, 2010 I received e-mail confirmation from the brewery
that the beer had been quietly discontinued.  So, along with Bud Lite Ice, Red Wolf,
Anheuser World Select, and Michelob Malt, it goes down in history as one of the few
failed Anheuser-Busch beer offerings.  We bid farewell to this 21-year-old product.  It
will not be missed by many.

Budweiser

The King of Beer, Budweiser, has been produced since 1876 and still uses the same recipe:
water, barley, rice, hops, and yeast.  It is kraeusened (double-fermented) and beechwood
aged (for natural carbonation).  Budweiser is subjected to Anheuser-Busch's (Inbev's)
fanatical quality control regimen and one can rest assured that any Budweiser beer found
anywhere in the world will have the exact same taste and body.  It will be identical in every
way to every other Bud, whether canned, bottled, or on tap.  Budweiser, at 5% alcohol, has
a delicate malt-hop balance and a mild sweetness.  A crisp, clean finish is assured.  Obviously,
this medium-bodied, snappy presentation is well-received because Budweiser has been the
world's most popular beer brand for over fifty years. 

Budweiser can be found in just about any can, bottle, or tap configuration and packaging
count imaginable.  And, it is available anywhere beer is sold.  Budweiser Light (now called
Bud Light) was introduced in 1982, and is currently more popular that Budweiser in North
America.  Bud and Bud Light control a majority of the beer market share in America.  Most
beer consumed daily is Budweiser/Bud Light.  One can not help but respect and admire this
outstanding product.  Sadly, Budweiser is no longer American-owned as Anheuser-Busch
Brewing Company was bought by InBev of Belgium in 2008.

Budweiser is a excellent choice to bring to any gathering or dinner party.

Keystone

Coors introduced the Keystone line in 1989 in order to compete on the sub-premium
(or value-priced) market segment.  The first two offerings, Keystone and Keystone
Light were given a strong advertising push, but in the last fifteen years, the entire
advertising effort has been devoted to the Keystone Light version, which is given
heavy television, radio, and print rotation.  Keystone Premium Beer is rarely seen in
stores, but is still sold in a very few select locations.  In 1995 Keystone Ice was
released in Coors Brewing Company's bid to compete in the ice beer sub-genre; the
ice beer craze was at its peak in the mid-1990s.  Keystone Ice, while a steady seller,
is not advertised, and is sold at a volume falling between the scant Keystone Premium
availability and the ubiquitous Keystone Light presence.  Keystone Light is available at
some outlets in kegs and everywhere in cans.  Keystone Premium and Keystone Ice
are available in cans.  Keystone Ice is also not referred to as "beer," but is labeled
ALE in order to comply with state alcohol regulations affecting any product sold as
"beer."  But, considering that ale is a type of beer, one can understand the
 ridiculousness of these trade regulations. 

Although positioned at the sub-premium level, one will notice the high quality of the
Keystone line, with which Coors (Molson) refuses to compromise.  You can
confidently expect exceptional quality with any of the three versions, which should
appeal to varying taste preferences.  The light version (4.13% alcohol) is typical for
American light beer.  The Keystone Premium offering is light bodied with average
(4.43%) alcohol and a crisp, clean taste and a light, straw color.  Keystone Ice is
medium bodied with elevated (5.9%) alcohol, and should appeal to those who enjoy
a stronger, yet mild-tasting beer.  Interestingly, as with all Coors products,
Keystone is kosher.  Overall, I'd recommend Keystone for a barbecue, fish fry, or
tailgate party. 

Pittsburgh Brewing Company

The Pittsburgh Brewing Company, producer of the classic Iron City Beer, was founded in 1861 by August Hoeveler and John Miller, both German immigrants. Like many regional breweries, Iron City Beer enjoyed much success in the area, with a loyal following and decades-long sponsorship of city sports franchises. But, also like many regional breweries, they began to deteriorate in the 1960s, when they began to be supplanted by heavy-hitting nationals beer brands, such as Schlitz, Pabst, Budweiser, and Miller. By the 1980s, Pittsburgh Brewing was on life support, a common situation for the smaller beer companies at the latter part of the 20th Century. Unable to afford advertising or innovation, they floundered.

Even with their near-death experience, Iron City did institute some notable changes in the beer industry: the "snap-top can" in 1962, the twist-off bottle cap in 1963, first draft beer in cans (1960s), and the first aluminum beer bottle (2004). Today, the Iron City line (Iron City, IC Light, Iron City Amber, and IC Mango are actually brewed in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. But, with the so-called Retro Beer nostalgic movement of  recent years, Iron City has experienced somewhat of a resurgence. Although mostly a niche beer or curiosity piece, Iron City does carry on.

This writer has tried Iron City Beer once (2011), and found it to be stereotypical, yet enjoyable American-style lager.

Ronald "Jay" Theriot