Because we try to be equal opportunity beer people ... Budweiser has just announced a new beer called Black Crown. The story line goes that a year ago Budweiser sent memos out (presumably) to its 12 brewmasters to "envision their own unique version of one of the world's most iconic beers."
Called "Project 12," a dozen recipes were submitted, of which six were brewed for a huge nationwide sampling. Then 25,000 beer drinkers voted and crowned one new golden amber lager as the Budweiser Black Crown.
This new brand will be available for purchase on Monday, January 21, then two weeks later will have a commercial premier during Super Bowl XLVII (that's 964, for you non-Romans) on February 3.
From the press release:
"With a blend of two-row caramel malt and four types of domestic hops, Budweiser Black Crown is finished on a bed of Beechwood chips..."
The winning brewmaster is Bryan Sullivan from Los Angeles. Like a good journalist, I Googled him and came up with this entry from the Daily Beer Review. Author "Beer Drinker Rob" appears to have been one of the 25,000 tasters. He wrote:
Heavy caramel aroma with a hint of toast and a definite sweet edge. Caramel and a light nutty flavor dominate pretty much the entire experience. This beer definitely has THAT flavor, distinctly Budweiser. I'm not saying that in a condescending way, but the sanctimony may come later. We'll see.A little buttery and some wood (the label does say this was finished on beechwood chips). Definitely too sweet from start to finish with not a hop to be found. Carbonation is good, body medium. Decent despite its sweet tooth. It's a close call, but I'd say this is the best of the three in this Project Twelve experiment.
He knows how to pick a winner! And it sounds like it taste like Budweiser. Awesomesauce.
In other news, Lakewood Brewing Company's Rock Ryder will be available in bottles at Sigel's today. Per the brewer's Facebook page, "Proceeds from Rock Ryder go to save White Rock Lake." (See, equal opportunity.)
