As usual I picked this Anheuser-Busch's product by mistake. Savvy marketing wins again. I did not go to my favorite beer shop this week and ended up at the supermarket where the selection was limited and prices for craft beers inflated. It has been excruciatingly hot out and I thought a Belgian White would hit the spot and the price was OK at just $8 for a 6-pack.
Shock Top first started off as one of AB's seasonal beers but now is available year round. After trying this I can see why. This really is a nice wheat beer to drink. After realizing what I bought, I was expecting the worst. Shock Top however did surprise me. It was a nice refreshing wheat beer that even a non-wheat drinker may like. I still prefer the Coor's Blue Moon Series of wheat beers better but this was the best Bud product I have ever had. I certainly liked this better than their current seasonals. In any case, Shock Top poured a cloudy gold with a well laced white head that had good retention. The aroma was laced with orange, light grain and yeast like notes. As for the flavor it was like drinking a grainy carbonated orange juice. The characteristic Budweiser flavors were well muted (If you did not know this came from AB you probably would not know). The beer also finished with some citrus tartness. I could not detect any spices and it seems rather one dimensional as the flavor profile was rather flat. The beer smelled just like it tasted. There was nothing interesting going on.
The beer was medium body with above average carbonation. Surprisingly, when I did finish the beer I did see what looked to be sediment on the bottom of the glass! Certainly this is not a great beer on style but it is a nice drink. This is sort of AB's take on a beer like Leinenkugel's - Sunset Wheat as it is fruity and refreshing.
I could still taste the Budweiser quality of this beer but I liked it for what it was. For the price I am a little taken back but it is certainly worth checking out.
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