Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Since its genesis in the 20th century in St. Louis, Missouri, Budweiser has become one of the world’s most recognizable beers. But people often drink Budweiser without understanding what type of beer is budweiser?
If you’re wondering what type of beer Budweiser is, read on.
Budweiser’s Real Beer Type
According to the Beer Judge Certification Program, Budweiser is a “Standard American Lager” or “Standard American Beer: American Lager.”
This is because of its high carbonization, 5% alcohol content, medium bitterness (12 IBU or International Bitterness Unit), light gold hue, the presence of rice in brewing, plus the fact that it is bottom-fermented rather than top-fermented.
Very pale yellow, clear with no cloudiness, very carbonated, and neither malt nor hops come through in a big way.
For this category, the beer must not have much body, have strong flavors, and be bitter.
These beers should be completely clear, with no leftover yeast, haze, or anything else that would make them look cloudy.
Is Budweiser A Pilsner or Lager Beer?
Budweiser is an American Lager beer made with two-row and six-row wheat in addition to rice.
Its alcohol content is 5%, and its color is very light yellow, which is the typical lager beer in the US.
In contrast to the traditional Czech lager, AB Budweiser is a filtered beer that uses up to 30% rice in addition to the traditional lager ingredients of hops and barley malt.
Read: What Type of Beer is Bud Light?
What’s A Lager?
Lager is the type of beer that most people drink. The bottom-fermented methods to make it craft a crisp, refreshing beer, but it’s a surprising mix of styles.
Lagers include many of America’s most popular beers, like Budweiser, PBR, Coors, Busch Lite, and Miller Genuine Draft.
Lagers are bottom-fermented beers, which is the best way to describe them. The yeasts used to ferment the beer gather at the bottom of the tank, unlike ales that use yeasts that ferment from the top down [1].
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What Type Of Lager Is Budweiser?
Based on the Beer Judge Certification Program (which categorizes beers based on several factors), Budweiser is classified as an American lager, a sub-category of the general category of standard US beers.
Budweiser is a good American lager because it is not too bitter and has low carbonation.
Because this isn’t very strong, it has a slight herbal taste and almost no aftertaste. As rice is one of the ingredients, the beer is smooth but could also be watery. But how tall is a Budweiser bottle?
Why It’s An American Beer Lager
There are five general criteria to classify American beer: bitterness (IBU), SRM (Standard Reference Method), original gravity (OG), fermentation, and alcohol content.
The IBU of Budweiser is 12, which falls in the 8–18 standard of American lagers; it means it’s less bitter. Then the SRM of Budweiser is 2–3, which also falls in the American lagers standard, 2–4.
Also, Budweiser’s original gravity of the beer (how strong the beer is and how much alcohol the beer has after fermentation) is 11.0°, equivalent to 1.044 OG – in line with the American lager’s 1.040– 1.050 OG.
Lastly, Budweiser’s fermentation or final gravity (representing the number of unfermented sugars left after fermentation) is 1.0059 – which is also in line with the American lagers’ standard 1.004 – 1.010 FG.
Read: How Long Can Beer Last In A Fridge?
Are Lagers Also Pilsners?
Lager is a kind of beer made by letting it age at low temperatures. Lagers can be pale, golden, or dark yellow.
On the other hand, pilsner is a pale lager, the most popular beer style sold in stores.
A pilsner is made by carefully controlling the process of “lagering,” which is part of making beer and can lead to different kinds of lagers in different situations.
Therefore, all pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners. Find out what time liquor stores stop selling beer in Texas here.
Has Budweiser Always Been A Lager Beer?
Budweiser beer has always been a lager, in general. But Budweiser has been around for many years (since 1876). This means it has changed significantly since beer was very different almost 150 years ago.
The difference is how strong the beer was. Sources from 1884 say that the original gravity of the beer was 1.015.
By today’s standards, the OG of the beer would be too high for it to be an American lager. But all American lagers likely had this kind of OG at the time.
Also, a higher OG meant that the beer had more sugars that could be turned into alcohol, which led to a higher ABV. According to sources from the time, beer had 5.32% alcohol instead of the 5% it is today.
Read: Bud Light Hard Soda Guide
FAQs Related to What type of Beer is Budweiser?
What is Budweiser beer?
Budweiser is a popular American lager beer known for its crisp and refreshing taste.
What type of beer is Budweiser classified as?
Budweiser is classified as a pale lager, which is a type of beer known for its light color and mild flavor.
Is Budweiser a light beer?
Budweiser produces both regular and light versions of its beer. The regular Budweiser beer is not a light beer, but they offer Bud Light, which is a light beer with fewer calories and lower alcohol content.
Is Budweiser beer American-owned?
Yes, Budweiser beer is an American-owned brand by Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., one the largest and most prominent beer producers globally. In 2008, it merged with Anheuser-Busch InBev company. St. Louis, Missouri, is where the main office is. But what beers are made by Anheuser-Busch?
How many cans of Budweiser beer can get you drunk?
Four cans of Budweiser can get you drunk, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A standard beer is 12 fl oz and has an ABV of 5%. So four cans of Budweiser within 1–2 hours can get you drunk. But how many beers will get you drunk?
What are the main ingredients in Budweiser beer?
The main ingredients in Budweiser beer include water, barley malt, rice, hops, and yeast.
How does Budweiser taste compare to other beers?
Budweiser has a balanced taste with subtle malt sweetness and a crisp finish, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a lighter beer.
Is Budweiser considered a craft beer?
No, Budweiser is not considered a craft beer. Craft beers are typically produced by small, independent breweries with an emphasis on unique flavors and traditional brewing methods.
Is Budweiser brewed using traditional methods?
Budweiser is brewed using modern brewing techniques, but it still adheres to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law, which specifies the ingredients that can be used in beer production.
Does Budweiser come in different varieties?
Yes, besides the classic Budweiser lager, the brand also offers variations such as Budweiser Select, Budweiser Black Crown, and seasonal releases.
Final Say
Now you know that Budweiser is categorized as an American Lager or beer. Under the general criteria of beers in the US, Budweiser falls perfectly in the standard of American lagers.
The fermentation, original and final gravity, SRM, and IBU indicate the classification of this popular beer.
But regardless of its type, it cannot change the fact that Budweiser has been a great beer in the US for a very long time – making its way to Europe and Asia.
Reference:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2394901/
