Entries tagged ‘Select 55’

In its pursuit of pure banality, Anheuser-Busch InBev hit a new low today as it decides that 55 calories is too many to have in a “beer” and presents “Little Lights,” which is Select 55 in lower-calorie portions.

If brewers could make a zero-calorie beer, would you even want it? More and more big-label brewers are trying to wring calories from popular brands of beer. Why? Because sales of light and ultra-light beers are up and brewers keep trying to go lower. As advances in beer science (and marketing) continue, consumers keep buying the stuff.

For whatever reason, Blue Moon wheat beer–brewed by MillerCoors–is one of the hottest-selling “craft” brews by a major bottler, but Anheuser-Busch is angling to cut in on that growth with its new Bud Light Golden Wheat. Only two months after its debut, the new wheat beer has nearly matched Blue Moon’s monthly sales.

You’ve heard the hype about low calorie counts, but how do these new beers taste? What happens when you drastically reduce calories? The Chicago Tribune did what we here at Brian’s Belly wanted to do… assembled a panel of taste testers.

Anheuser-Busch has begun to roll out SELECT 55, “the lightest beer in the world” in 15 test markets across the country. The “smooth, golden lager” targets active consumers looking for new lower-calorie options, according to the company’s press release.