Bud beer: history, features, types
American light lager "Bud" is often confused with Czech Budweiser. This is not surprising, given the similarity of the names and the proximity of production technologies based on Bohemian brewing traditions.
In addition to the Bud brand, Anheuser-Busch InBev actively exploits the Budweiser brand, which causes even more confusion. The Czech manufacturer has been trying to defend the right to use the disputed name for many years, but so far without success.
The history of American Bud beer
American Budweiser was first released in 1876.
The creator of the unusual drink for the United States was a hereditary brewer Adolphus Busch, who was a co-owner of the Anheuser-Busch company in St. Louis.
The brewery itself was founded a little earlier - in 1852.
After visiting Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) and becoming interested in local technologies for the production of foamy alcohol, the entrepreneur decided to test the new recipe in America.
The experiment was a success, and in 1901 Budweiser lager became a national beer.
The success was facilitated by the use of pasteurization and refrigeration units in production, which significantly extended the shelf life of products.
In fact, American producers took very little from Czech traditions and recipes: the beer made in St. Louis was significantly different from the Budweiser sample.
Nevertheless, Anheuser-Busch products instantly became popular.
Over several decades, the production of the first American lager increased several times, reaching an annual rate of 1 million barrels in the early 20th century.
The period of Prohibition was difficult for the company, when the production of Budweiser had to be suspended.
However, in the following years, the brewery quickly made up for lost time, intensively increasing production volumes and actively promoting its products outside the United States.
An unusual advertising campaign launched after the abolition of Prohibition helped to strengthen the title of "national lager" and allowed to celebrate this significant event with a free beer tasting. The offer was valid for 5 days.
Today, American Bud and Budweiser beverages are in high demand both in the United States and in other countries.
The company's breweries, which merged with the Brazilian-Belgian corporation InBev in 2008, produce beer not only in America but also in many European countries.
Features of Bud beer production
The success of American lager is largely due to its high quality and mild flavor.
The main features that distinguish the drink from similar products:
Original composition
In addition to barley malt and hops, the manufacturer adds rice and repeatedly filtered water to the recipe.
Beech chips are added to the beer during the maturation stage.
Hops for the beverage are harvested by hand in different parts of the world, barley is grown in Montana and Idaho, rice is purchased from American farmers and harvested on their own fields in Arkansas.
Loyalty to traditions
The company's specialists use innovations if necessary, but try not to deviate from the original recipe and methods of making the drink.
In particular, the 7-stage production technology developed in the 19th century by Adolfus Busch has been preserved, and the same yeast strain is introduced that was added to the wort during the creation of the first Budweiser.
The significant role of brewers
Despite the automation of the process, the team of craftsmen strictly monitors product quality at all stages of production and tastes samples at least 5 times during the cycle.
Use of alternative energy sources in the production process
This approach allows not only to save water and electricity, but also emphasizes the responsible position of the owners regarding the problem of preserving natural resources.
The rest of the process of creating American beer is similar to the production of other lagers.
There is a classic bottom fermentation, a mandatory maturation stage, filtration and pasteurization.
Types of Bud beer
Bud
A classic light lager, which is produced in the USA under the name "Budweiser".
Produced according to the original recipe of 1876.
It has a mild velvety flavor with tones of caramel, fruit and light bitterness.
Color: golden. Strength: 4,8%.
Bud Ice
During the production of the drink, I use the technology of freezing, which allows me to soften the taste, reduce calories and increase the strength to 5.5%.
Bud Light
Light lager with pleasant bitterness and fruit notes, low density. Strength: 4,2%.
Color: amber-golden. Fruit variants: "Bud Light Lime and Bud Light Orange (with natural citrus peel) and Bud Light & Clamato Chelada (with the addition of spicy tomato cocktail).
Bud Light Platinum
It differs from the previous drinks by increased strength - 6% and a bolder sweet taste.
Bud Alcohol Free
The Russian version of the American lager, which is loved by drivers and fans of non-alcoholic beer.
According to legend, the drink was first produced during Prohibition. Alcohol content: up to 0.05%
In Russia, only the classic Bud and its non-alcoholic version are on sale.
Beverages are sold in glass and tin cans, and less often in kegs and aluminum bottles.
In America, the lager is represented by several varieties of Budweiser: "Budweiser Select, Budweiser Select 55, Budweiser & Clamato Chelada, Budweiser American Ale.
Update: 26.02.2019
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale