Marshall’s Mugs Budweiser Black Crown

So what is Anheuser-Busch’s best hope to counter the increasing number of craft beers out there? How do they pitch to the Budweiser lovers that this is the beer of the future without going too crafty? How does the company reverse the trend of sales decreasing because of microbrew?
We have their answer—Budweiser Black Crown.

Now that may be all too dramatic for a simple beer but think about it. It took 12 Budweiser Brewmasters and six unique brews before Black Crown was chosen. It says that right on the bottle. Anheuser-Busch pulled out all the stops for this one.

Here are some key factors that may have played into “America’s brewery’s” decision to brew the crown. Anheuser-Busch’s total sales are down 0.9 percent, Budweiser saw a 7 percent fall in last year’s third quarter and now holds the No. 3 spot in best-selling beer instead of No. 2, according to MSN Money.

So what does this all mean? I will hurl out a guess that it will be taken 50-50 in the microbrew world. I was actually quite impressed after trying Beck’s Sapphire two weeks ago. Black Crown was quite—eh well better than ok but not mind blowing.

It pours just like a normal Budweiser, golden amber with a nice carbonation but it dies down very quickly unlike a craft beer. The good news for Anheuser-Busch is I did not immediately think of Budweiser. I thought, “Hey this is a better version of Bud.”

However, the compliments pretty much end there. The claimed toasted caramel malt is weak and is certainly an attempt not to overwhelm the Budweiser drinkers of the present.

In the end, Black Crown is drinkable, better than Budweiser and just average at best. Don’t pass it up but don’t search it out. I see a similar success as the Bud Light Platinum. It is not going to win over the microbrew crown. Nice try, Anheuser-Busch.


QUICK REVIEW:
(all mugs out of 5)

Taste: 3.5
It is Budweiser but a little smoother, with a hint of toasted caramel and still the Beechwood finish.


Feel: 4
I would suggest it over a light beer still. Sounds like it will be a great happy hour beer.


Look: 2
Carbonation dies down like a quarter falling from the sky, tsk-tsk Anheuser-Busch.


Smell: 2
Put a Bud and a Black Crown next to each other. You tell me which is which.


Overall: 3 
Happy hour sounds good but ends there. It is a great attempt by Anheuser-Busch to try to branch out to their large audience.