I'm sure there are many of you who just can't take my word for the best and worst light beers out there. Good! If there was one message I would try and get across to anyone who drinks beer, it's that only you can decide what beer you like.
But that won't stop me from trying to convince you that I'm right. Here are detailed reviews of all the high and low points of the tasting.
Best in Show: Not Really So Light
Best Light Beer: A Beer by Beer Summary of Why It Didn't Win
Best Lime Pseudo-Beer
The Absolute Worst: The Imports
With any luck I've answered all your questions. If not, here are some very brief notes on all 25 of the beers in question, as well as someone's transcribed tasting note to sum up the beer. Keep in mind, I'm mostly looking for the bad things here. If I don't mention it, assume it just tasted like plain old beer.
Amstel Light - Light and dry. Tastes cold. Pilsnery.
"Smells and tastes like a light beer should."
Bud Light - Generic beer taste, but not much of it. A little over-carbonated.
"Hint of good."
Bud Light Lime - Fruit loops lime taste, not much beer. Slight soapiness.
"Horror (oh the horror)."
"Excellent."
Bud Light Wheat - Wheaty smell. Cloudy appearance. Sweet and citrusy finish. Pleasant and full.
"Wheat beer for people who don't like beer."
"Cheap beer for people who like beer."
Bud Select 55 - Very carbonated and slightly tinny. No complexity, but had a beer taste.
"Overpowering in a mediocre way."
Busch Light - Short lived taste. Mild amount of decent flavor. Flat feeling.
"This is my parent's favorite beer."
Corona Light - Strong skunky smell and taste. Finish like cigarette butts. Terrible.
"Tastes like dirty ass."
Heineken Light - Strong dirty cardboard and latex aroma. Taste is gentle but tinny.
"Metallic taste, industrial smell."
Keystone Light - Clean smell and taste. Slightly watery, but decent beer flavor.
"Pleasantish."
Michelob Light - Sour, acidic, slight metallic taste. Slightly soapy smell.
"Metallic, but tolerable."
Michelob Ultra - Almost clear. Little to no taste, very watery.
"Sour and boring."
Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus - Pleasant flowery taste. Very drinkable, but not even a hint of beer.
"Pedo-beer."
Miller Chill - More natural lime taste, with more beer flavor. Slightly toxic feel.
"Bullshit fucking corn syrup."
"I could drink a few of these, but that would be a big mistake."
Miller Light - Fairly generic, but not bad. No off-tastes.
"Doesn't taste like shit." (This was in the midst of a particularly bad run.)
MGD 64 - Beer taste, but no complexity. Mostly taste carbonation.
"Absent flavor."
Natural Light - Tastes cheap. Very light but ok beer taste.
"I threw this up once."
Red Stripe Light - Limp, fleeting taste. Light but very odd/bad smell.
"I can't get over the smell."
Sam Adams Light - Sweet, malty aroma. Strong, good taste. Very smooth and pleasant.
"Bitter, but in a good way."
Yuengling Light - Bitter, decent amount of taste, but only mediocre quality. Nice appearance.
"Acceptable."
Questions, comments, suggestions? stehli.r@gmail.com
