Disgusting new brew

Anheuser Busch announced a new brew aimed at twenty-something club goers that sounds truly disgusting: caffeinated, sweet-flavored beer. "B(E) infuses beer with caffeine, guarana and ginseng, along with berry aromas for a sweeter, yet more tart taste at 6.6 percent alcohol by volume, said company brewmaster Nathaniel Davis." "The new beer B(E) -- read as 'B to the E power' -- will roll out in several phases starting in November" according to Reuters. Mathematicians obviously didn't have any more to do with the name than did people with taste with the formulation. But then, who was it that said nobody ever lost money by underestimating the taste of the American people?

Mencken.

I suppose if one assumes it has very little beer taste to begin with, all the other bastardizing isn't that heretical.

Hi,

I have seen a German relative mix beer with Himbersaft or a raspberry concentrate. I never tasted it, but I did see it.

Regards,

The Vierling, a good microbrewery in Marquette, Michigan (in the Upper Peninsula) has a wheat beer on their menu in autumn that they garnish with wild UP blueberries.

It's really quite good.

On a similar note, Leinenkugel has a "berry weiss", flavored with assorted berry essences, or something. It's not nearly as good as the vierling's version.

-ed

German altbier with strawberries called an Altbier Bowle can be quite refreshing and tasty. Its not too sweet and the dark beer balances the strawberries nicely.
LO

I saw this posted on /. The (credible to me) point they made in the article there was that this was an attempt to take some of the market share owned by stuff like Smirnoff Ice. Perhaps it's an unfair generalization on my part but I would think that people who drink Smirnoff Ice (or similar) probably aren't really appreciative of 'good' beer (too dry, too bitter, etc.) but might consider B(E) . . . no doubt the 6.6% alcohol content will draw some people, too. Gee, all in the same bottle - a stimulant, a depressant, and an alleged enhancer of sexuality!

LOL! Good one. Very true. Maybe I am just getting old, or I am weird, but *taste* has always been the overriding factor in my beer purchases. Although when in Germany, a few Mai Bocks did have the quick buzz benefits..
Even when a poor student, I could never drink the crap people drink in college, Milwaukees Best, AB products, Lite etc, which actually come to think of it, aren't even that cheap. or even beer for that matter...
LO

I am so glad to finally see a thread about something I love, brewing.

I have seen a German relative mix beer with Himbersaft or a raspberry concentrate. I never tasted it, but I did see it.

Cathy,

In my experience the mixing of beer, usually a German Weiss beer, with a raspberry syrup is known as a Berliner. Or serving in the style of Berlin natives. I do not have my copy of Zymurgy magazine on hand for verification.

Aren't krieks and lambics fruit flavored?

Hattyn,

Lambic, refers to the style of fermentation using natural air-borne yeasts. Lambics, when being brewed look quite hideous ie: molds and other stuff pile on top. Lambics also require long bottle aging (minimum of 6 months for it to even be drinkable) for the flavors to mature and mellow. It is true many are flavored with fruit juices during the second fermentation, but not all.

Now back to the original topic. When I read the article I noticed that they are going to sell this "malt beverage" in a slimline 10oz can ala Red Bull style. Though I'm not sure how this might add to the effect of the latest fad-shot of the Jagerbomb.

Flip

I recollect that some ago pubs in England would offer a drink called a shandy. It was a mix of beer and a lemon-lime soda pop (something roughly equivalent to Sprite or 7-Up).

It wasn't as awful as it sounds, though it wasn't great either.

Flip wrote:In my experience the mixing of beer, usually a German Weiss beer, with a raspberry syrup is known as a Berliner. Or serving in the style of Berlin natives.

Berliner weiss is a German wheat beer, but quite different from the Bavarian style hefe weiss. Unlike Bavarian weizens, Berliner weisse is quite sour. Lactic acid bacteria provides the acidity. When consumed, woodruff or raspberry flavored syrup is often added to cut the sourness.

It's kind of fallen out of favor in Germany, and can be difficult to find here. But the brand Kindl Weisse can be found in better beer stores. It's good to try it straight, and then try it with a little raspberry syrup.

Tim

hattyn wrote:I haven't seen a copy of Zymurgy in ages.I am usually at Borders,Books-A-Million or Barnes and Noble every weekend.Where have you seen it?Thanks in advance.

I've seen Zymurgy in home brew shops.

Members of the AHA (American Homebrewers Association) receive it as part of their membership.


Tim

hattyn wrote:Addresses please.Thank you.

Here's the one I go to in Warrenville.

The Brewer's Coop
30W114 Butterfield Road
Warrenville, IL. 60555
630-393-BEER
Fax 393-2323


It's one block west of Rt 59 on Butterfield. It's connected to the Two Brothers Brewery. There is also a homebrew/wine shop on North Avenue 1 block west of Rt83.

Flip

hattyn wrote:Thanks.Anything closer to me,a public transportation taking Evanstonian?I doubt someone will drive me there.

No joy for homebrew shops in Evanston that I know of, but there's a Brew & Grow downtown:
Brew & Grow
1824 N. Besley Ct.
Chicago IL 60622
phone: (773) 395-1500

I've never been there, used to use their sister store out in the 'burbs. I note when I visit the website @ http://www.altgarden.com I find nary a mention of beer so it might be wise to make a phone call prior to starting that public trans trip.

Hi,

Nowhere near Evanston, yet still a memorable stop on the Western-athon: the husband's brew and winemaking supply store sharing quarters with the wife's pet grooming shop. Those who went obtained a 1980's Chicago celebrity cookbook, which Seth Zurer developed into an amusing play called 'The Mayor's Mouth.' I heard so much about this place, that I tracked it down and visited it on a meandering tour of Chicago last December:

Bev Art Brewer And Winemaker Supply
10033 Southwestern Avenue
Chicago, IL 60643
http://www.bev-art.com/
[email protected]
773-233-7579
Fax: 773-233-7579

Beverly Pet-Pride Professionl Grooming
10035 South Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60643
773-233-5037

Okay, Flip, where are we going to dine, with you bringing the home brew?
You have threatened and teased once too often, time to stand and deliver.

dicksond wrote:Okay, Flip, where are we going to dine, with you bringing the home brew?
You have threatened and teased once too often, time to stand and deliver.

Dickson,

You name the time and place and I'll be there. Although, I have been craving Noodles with pork candy lately.

Flip

btw, I only have about 10 bottles of my last batch left it's time to brew again, any suggestions for a particular style? I must note that I am still using the malt extracts because I do not have the hardware for an all grain system.

Back in the day, in London, I used to drink guiness topped with black currant syrup. Sounds gross, but was really good. I also used to down a couple of espressos before heading out for the night. Sounds like Miller is just reducing the number of steps.

Tilt

Anheuser-Busch is rolling out another guarana/ginseng/caffeinated malt beverage, perhaps a rebranded B^e?

Tilt is brewed with two-row malt, natural grains, hops, yeast and water and infused with raspberry flavor, caffeine, guarana and ginseng at Anheuser-Busch's Cartersville Brewery. It is fermented at cold temperatures and allowed to develop natural carbonation as it slowly matures.

gleam wrote:Anheuser-Busch is rolling out another guarana/ginseng/caffeinated malt beverage, perhaps a rebranded B^e?

Whatever would compel them to do something stupid like that?

B-to-the-E earned a very respectable 19th place on this list, Ed.

Just so you know.

E.M.

A couple of months ago I brewed a coffee porter - a breakfast beer. I tell people I give it to that they're not allowed to drink it after 12 noon.