Budweiser Zero Review

Name	Budweiser Zero
ABV	0.5%
Brewery	Anheuser-Busch
Country Of Production	USA
Style	Lager
Ingredients
Water, Barley Malt, Rice, Hops, Natural Flavours
Nutritional Information
Energy	58kj per 100ml.
Carbohydrates	3g per 100ml
Protein	0.1g per 100ml.
Fat	0
Salt	0
Can We Be Friends?
Vegan Friendly	Yes.
Gluten Free	No.

How is Budweiser Zero brewed?

Although there is no official statement on how it’s brewed, seemingly Budweiser Zero is brewed using the same process as regular beer then use the vacuum distillation method to remove the alcohol. 

The brewing process begins with mashing – in which malted grains are soaked in water to release their sugars and starches. 

After mashing, the liquid or “wort” is boiled with hops to create flavor and aroma. Once cooled, yeast is added and fermentation begins. 

During fermentation, yeast converts the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. 

In the case of Budweiser Zero, however, no alcohol results due to pasteurization which kills all remaining yeast after fermentation has completed. 

Aroma

Overall the aroma of Budweiser zero is pretty light; it’s not going to overpower you, but certainly nothing there to draw you in either. 

Light aromas of bready and cereal grain malts, complemented by a soft aroma of rice adjuncts and a touch of grainy sweetness and a whisper of grassy hops.

Reminds me of a typical lager but pretty weak aroma overall. Saying that, I didn’t really expect much and a typical Budweiser wasn’t well-known for its aroma. 

Appearance

Hits the glass in pale yellow color, with a thin head that quickly dissipated. I could see tiny bubbles rising to the surface, indicating good carbonation levels.

Decent head formation and lacing, but falls pretty flat very quickly. 

Flavour

The flavour is a super light lager. Very little hop presence, typical grainy and slightly malty taste. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot to say here, it’s pretty drinkable but not something you want to savor. 

You can definitely argue that it lacks depth in terms of taste compared to traditional beers and other NA beers. 

Mouthfeel

When it comes to mouthfeel, Budweiser Zero has a light and crisp texture that is reminiscent of traditional lagers.

Very easy to drink with a light crisp mouthfeel, and a watery finish that is expected with a non-alcoholic lager. The body was light and crisp but not overly carbonated. 

The carbonation provides a slight effervescence on the tongue, which enhances that refreshing feeling.

Overall Impression

Overall, I didn’t hate Budweiser Zero. It’s kind of weird to say, but I could easily grab one and not be too disappointed if I was at a game, or having a night out and just wanted something quick and easy. 

While there are plenty of other non-alcoholic options available that offer more depth of flavor than Budweiser Zero, it’s certainly not a bad beer.

Given how common it is, and how heavily Anheuser-Busch are promoting it, it’s going to be one of the more prominent alcohol-free options at restaurants, bars, events, and stores. 

And, I’m ok with that. 

A lot of people might think what’s the point of Budweiser Zero, but for what it is, it’s refreshing, inoffensive, and easy to drink. 

The only issue I have is the price point, if I’m paying that much for a non-alcoholic beer I might aswell grab something that has a flavour or some complexity to it. But that’s just me, if you’re not into IPA’s Stouts, Sours, and just want a simple alcohol free beer, Budweiser Zero has its place.

How Does Budweiser Zero Compare To Regular Budweiser

I didn’t do a side by side test, more so from memory, but this non-alcoholic version holds up pretty well.

Dare I say it, I probably enjoyed it more than a typical Budweiser. The aroma is definitely softer, flavour is lighter but still has that crisp refreshing mouthfeel. It feels more “watered” down than a typical Budweiser, but that was fine by me. 

However, one notable difference between the two beers is in their calorie count. For example, one 12 oz can of regular Budweiser contains 145 calories while one 12 oz can of non-alcoholic Budweiser Zero contains only 50 calories!

Budweiser Zero Faqs