Anheuser Busch Bud Light

Bud Light is a light American lager brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Missouri, rated at 4.2% ABV with an IBU of just 6. That bitterness figure is among the lowest you will see in beer. Hops contribute almost nothing to the structure, so the beer is built on a pale, lightly sweet grain base, with the faint cereal and bread-crust character typical of adjunct lagers. Expect a thin, quick body, a clean and dry finish, and very little aftertaste, which is why it is usually judged on how cold and crisp it is rather than on complexity. At 4.2% alcohol, it sits at the lower end of mainstream lager strength, so it suits long sessions, outdoor afternoons and food-heavy gatherings where you want a beer that stays out of the way. Its lightness is an advantage with salty, fried or spicy food, which a more assertive beer would compete with. Styles like this pair well with wings, nachos, burgers, hot dogs, tacos and pizza, as well as grilled chicken and sausages. The carbonation and low bitterness cut through grease and mild heat without amplifying it, though it can seem washed out next to heavily smoked or very rich dishes. Serve it properly cold, roughly 34 to 38°F (1 to 3°C), which is colder than you would serve most craft beer. At that temperature the subtle malt sweetness stays balanced and the crispness comes through. As a beer with this little hop character, it has no aromatics worth warming up for, and it loses its appeal quickly once it is no longer cold. For glassware, a standard pint glass or a pilsner glass works well, since the tall, narrow shape keeps carbonation lively and holds a modest white head. A chilled glass helps keep it cold for longer. It is also routinely drunk straight from the bottle or can, and in a light lager like this one the difference in flavor is small.