Budweiser in Europe

[Eggy]

I was not in Germany for this World Cup unfortunately. But I have been to Europe several times and I also read someone else mention that Budweiser in Europe is surprising like the best beer you have ever had.

One night after drinking pints of Carling ( maybe had something to do with it) our Budweiser in a bottle was like liquid gold.

Can anyone agree. Is there an explanation?

I WANT AN EXPLANATION NOW!

[Degtyarev]

Budweiser sold in Europe is different than the one consumed in the US, I believe. But just like Carlsberg, Heineken and Warsteiner it's an average beer with an average taste.

Oh, wait, I'm confusing it with Budvar.

[herewego]

Budweiser in Europe is nothing less than a total different company.

Original Budweiser, as it is saled in Europe, is from the town Budvar in Czechia, which german language name is Budweis.
It´s one of the oldest and most traditional breweries in the world.

Bud in US is just a trademark, that was taken to show, that they once tried, or better: tricked their customers to think, that they brew their beer in the Budweis style.

[Weber King]

In addition, Budweiser (aka Anhauser Busch Bud) sold in Europe is decidedly different (and much better) than the Bud they sell here back in the states. It's actually palatable over there, with a sweet initial taste and smooth finish.

[Beantowner]

Bud in US is just a trademark, that was taken to show, that they once tried, or better: tricked their customers to think, that they brew their beer in the Budweis style. Since the 13th century, authentic Budweiser has been brewed in what is now the Czech town of České Budějovice (formerly Budweis). Unlike the various piss waters Anheuser Busch sells as a pitifully poor semblance of beer, Budvar brews several decent to high quality beers. The town is non-descript, but the traditional beer hall in the town center is worth a visit as is the brewery itself for the complementary samples. http://www.budvar.cz/en/index.html

The overly commercialized US brand distributes a more tolerable beverage in some European countries, but it does not meet traditional brewing standards and still cannot be sold in some nations. Why anyone would drink American Budweiser in the States when truly good quality American beers now exist let alone in Europe mystifies this Yank. :rolleyes:

[The Magpie]

In addition, Budweiser (aka Anhauser Busch Bud) sold in Europe is decidedly different (and much better) than the Bud they sell here back in the states. It's actually palatable over there, with a sweet initial taste and smooth finish.

Speaking from experience, I would concur sir :)

[buckeye5]

Not including the Czech version of Budweisier in the discussion, and merely limiting it to AB's Bud....

As I understand it, the US market AB Budweiser is made with rice. While the European market AB Budweiser is made with hops and barley (as beer is supposed to be made). Not sure if this is just urban legend, but it's what I've always heard.

[marianelah]

I was in Germany forced to drink Bud at the games. To me, it tasted the same. Also, the morning after headache after drinking just two confirmed it's probably the same crap.

[Magpie Maniac]

I don't get hungover unless I do a lot of mixing. For instance, if I stick to one type of beer the entire evening, I'll be fine. If, however, I mix my evening beverages up between stouts, lagers, ales, and what have you, I'm useless the following day.

[Iplayedforchelsea]

I went to the Chelsea/Leeds game at Stamford Bridge in 2002 and all they sold was Bud.

And I drank it happily. In large quantitties

[MightyMouse]

I have to say that I witnessed something that made my beer heart flutter. Two German guys, say mid 40's, were standing in line in front of me for the Budweiser. One of them told me they had never tried it before and were excited to see what all the fuss was about. When they finally got their Buds and took a swig, both of them looked at eachother as if to say, "hmm... you know, not bad!". I was actually shocked to see their nods of approval and I now had to pay close attention to why they thought it was so good. When I finally got my Bud I can honestly tell you my first thought was, "no freaking way this is American Budweiser, this chit tastes way too good... or is it because I'm thirsty?"

In any case, yes, I think the Bud in Europe is made with great care, especially the batch for the World Cup, as they are trying to gain respect and some new drinkers. If Budweiser tasted that good in the states we would be hailing it as the best beer in America. It certainly did have a sweet taste to it as apposed to the soapy, watery stuff you get sometimes in the US.

[MrSparkle]

Not including the Czech version of Budweisier in the discussion, and merely limiting it to AB's Bud....

As I understand it, the US market AB Budweiser is made with rice. While the European market AB Budweiser is made with hops and barley (as beer is supposed to be made). Not sure if this is just urban legend, but it's what I've always heard.

You're on the right track. From what was explained to me, hops and barley -- by German law -- are the only two substances allowed in beer, this includes the barring of preservatives that you might find in American beer.

This is why, anyone who was out there may have noticed, hangovers are virtually non-existant.

[Degtyarev]

hops and barley -- by German law -- are the only two substances allowed in beer, this includes the barring of preservatives that you might find in American beer. the barring of preservatives that you might find in American beer.

This is why, anyone who was out there may have noticed, hangovers are virtually non-existant.

...ha, an hangover is caused by alcohol/dehydration. Budweiser (US) 5%, same goes for the Europian brewed Bud I guess. Maybe you should try drinking some more next time... ;)

[Pike]

Hey, This is an FYI,

There are two types of Beer: Ale and Lager.

Ale
Top- fermented, They tend to be sweet, fruity, and texturally smooth. They tend to be higher in alcohol content than lagers.

Types of Ale
Barley Wine: Strong full- bodied dark ale
Bitter: Highly hopped and very bitter.
Blond/ Golden Ale: A lighter version of the pale ale,.. taste more like a lager, floral aroma with a dry taste.
Brown Ale: Lightly hopped, sweet and full bodied
India Pale Ale (IPA): High in hop, with moderate malt flavor
Pale Ale: Combines distinct bitterness with some malt based sweetness
Porter: Blackor Chocholate, well hopped and heavily malted,... they are dryer than stouts.
Scottish Ale: Rich and chewy, low in hops, tends to be a bit bitter.
Strong Ale: Usually dark, with medium tolow hops,.. a dry bitter beverage.
Stouts: Stouts are ales which are somtimes confused with Porters. They are characterized by their highly roasted barley.
Types of Stouts:
Dry Stout: Plenty of hops, produces a bitter taste. It contains unmalted barley, like drinking a cup of coffee,.. aka Irish Stout.
Imperial Stout: Rish malty with fruity overtones, somewhat dry.
Milk Stout (English/ sweet Stout): Malty sweet instead of dry, lower alcohol content than other stouts.
Outmeal Stout: Like milk stout, sweeter product (oats are used for the sweetness)

Lager
They bottom- fermented; They should be clear, crisp, and carbonated. Most are msaltier, less hoppy, and aromic. The contain less alcohol than ales.

Types of Lager
American Dry Lager: technically Japanese development,... High in carbonination, but low in bitterness, and dry.
American Pilsner: Crips more carbonated than the Euro Pilsner, but weaker in and lighter in body and flovor. Corn or rice is often added to the brewing process to give bulk and filler. Corn adds flavor. (ie Budweiser, Miller etc,...)
Bock: Full- bodied, strong, high in alcohol content. Copper to light brown in color. There is als a Bouble Bock or Dopplebock,... greater alcohol content, its creattion is related to the strict brewing laws in Germany.
English Lager: Light variant of the American Brewed counterpart, in both color and taste.
European Dark/Munchner Drunkel: Malty, not hoppy taste predominate. There's a hint of caramel, though not as sweet as brown ales. Clean, crisp with nice carbonation.
European Pilsner: Light- bodied with high hop bitterness. Clean, dry, rich taste and slight flowery finish.
FYI: Pilsners are the palest and most widely brewed styles in the World
Export: Smooth , pale smooth bodied, and higher in alcohol content. It sometimes referred to Dormund style beer,... The name suggest it may be specifically brewed for exporting.
Malt Liquor: General pale in color, with no particular flavor style. Very high in alcohol, some have a sweet finish,.. an American invention.
Marzen/ Octoberfest: Malty aroma and sweetness with lots of hops tobalance the malt. Strong toasted malt flavor.
Vienna Amber:Toasted malt flavor with some rich malty sweetness. Low hop aroma, simlar to American made lagers but darker color.

Other Beer types (ale and Lagers mix)
Altibier, Biere de Paris, Cream ale, Kolsch, Steam, and Wheat/ Weisse or White Beer.
And More types:
Abbey/ Trappist, Faro, Gueuze, Lambic, Rauchbier, and seasonal beers.

Cheers,
Pike

[marianelah]

...ha, an hangover is caused by alcohol/dehydration. Budweiser (US) 5%, same goes for the Europian brewed Bud I guess. Maybe you should try drinking some more next time... ;)

Alcohol quality is a major factor. Poor quality alcohol (impurities and additives) is harder to process by the liver and tends to increase dehydration. Budweiser is full of garbage which guarantees a hangover the next day.

[ironduke2010]

...ha, an hangover is caused by alcohol/dehydration. Budweiser (US) 5%, same goes for the Europian brewed Bud I guess. Maybe you should try drinking some more next time... ;)

MrSparkle is right re german beer though. i was in germany and drank those liter tankards of helles all over munich and never once felt bad, got a headache, or had a hangover, and i didn't really even temper my beer intake by drinking water.

here in the states, i sometimes get a silly headache on even just one imported draft beer. considering i drink water with my beer here just to cut down on the dehydration, something is clearly different between the beer i had in germany and the beer i get here.

however, it may be the helles. there is a beergarden that just opened nearby, and the proprietors learned their trade in germany. they brew a helles, and serve it in liter tankards. i've been there twice since getting back, had a couple of liters during the evening, and felt fine the next day...

[deedougie]

Alcohol quality is a major factor. Poor quality alcohol (impurities and additives) is harder to process by the liver and tends to increase dehydration. Budweiser is full of garbage which guarantees a hangover the next day.

I have to agree. The only time I ended up with hangovers was actually after going to beer gardens in Munich. Not sure if the quality is any less at the gardens, or it could be cause I drank that much more there ;)

also the budweiser was o.k. at the stadiums, but did not compare in quality to any of the other german varities that i had in different towns throughout the country.

I didn't really like the Becks much in Germany either.

I think my favorite brew over all was Köstritzer. dark and yummy

[Angus Podgorney]

You're on the right track. From what was explained to me, hops and barley -- by German law -- are the only two substances allowed in beer, this includes the barring of preservatives that you might find in American beer.

This is why, anyone who was out there may have noticed, hangovers are virtually non-existant.

The German beer purity law, Reinheitsegbot, limits the number of ingredients that can be in beer to four- yeast, water, hops, and barley. The law dates to 1512. Anheuser Busch uses rice in their brewing process to increase the alcohol content. The rice ferments completely into alcohol wihout leaving any flavor components behind (at least in theory). AB no longer uses beechwood vats to brew Bud; now they put slabs of beechwood into the metal vats to flavor the beer.

I had one Bud at the US-Ghana match in Nuremberg. It seemed OK, but nothing special. I probably got spoiled in Munich. On the train ride from Munich to Nuremberg, we passed through large hop fields. One of the Germans in my compartment said that Bavarians pride themselves in growing something like 90% of the hops grown in the world.

A doctor friend of mine claims the worst hangovers are caused by drinks with sugar in them. I know that a few glasses of champagne on New year's Eve always gives me a hangover. My worst hangover ever came from drinking far too many screwdrivers.