Michelob Dunkel Weisse, a good new beer, but we'll have to wait for it
I liked the bottle of Michelob Dunkel Weisse, a new dark wheat ale that arrived the other day in a sample package sent to members of the beery press by Anheuser-Busch.
Excellent dark color, easy on the clove (never my fav), with hint of a chocolate in the body and 5.5 percent alcohol by volume. It reminded me of the good old days when Michelob was one of America's top brews.
I wanted more, so I called Joe Falcone at Wells Discount Liqours on York Road. He had not seen the Dunkel Weisse, and referred me to the AB distributor, Winner. They told me they had not one bottle of Dunkel Weisse in their warehouse.
So I called St. Louis. The AB people there said the Dunkel Weisse was part of national roll out of Michelob products that will start Sept 8. It will probably take a week or two beyond that date, I was told, before the beer arrives on retail shelves.
This appears to be part of a Michelob makeover. Seasonal beers, Shock Top and the AB organic brews, are, as I understand it, all going to be under the Michelob umbrella. The sampler from St. Louis also had a Pale Ale, which did not impress me.
Michelob seems to be going after the craft beer crowd. What kind of reception do you think they will get?
I suspect some craft beer lovers will shy away from any AB products as too mainstream.
But others will give it a try. The Dunkel-Weisse is good start.
Comments
I'm sure I'll give them a try but I'm not going to expect too much from them. They are, after all, an AB product so they probably have rice in them. I saw a commercial the other day talking about the head of the Michelob Pale Ale beer. But I'm wondering if the head is a part of the natural brewing process or a product of some chemical additive similar to what I believe Miller uses.
Posted by: Jr Copper | August 21, 2008 5:20 PM
I would like to try it but will most likely not buy it on a regular basis.
Posted by: The Foaming Head | August 21, 2008 10:17 PM
Unlike Shocktop, Bare Knuckle Stout and their other "micro" brews, AB isnt trying to mask the Michelob brand.
Posted by: Jason | August 22, 2008 9:27 AM
I usually like microbrews and European beers, I havent had a Bud in like 10 years. But I'll give the new beer a try. It cant hurt. I actually can drink the Amber Bock. But I wonder how widespread the distribution will be. I rarely see any of the Michelob "craft" beers sold in bars.
Posted by: Mike | August 22, 2008 10:41 AM
I agree with Jr Copper, my expectations are low as well. After reading several articles in the past Mid Atlantic Brewing News about InBev, I'm not exactly going to rush out for this one. I never was big on many AB products, but I did like them as a company by and large. I prefer to support local business whenever possible. But I've never had any issues with AB, nor with foreign beer companies in principle (in fact I absolutely love many German and English ones!), but I'm not too pleased with InBev. Not that I'm necessarily boycotting them, but these are businessmen in the business of beer, not brewers in the business of beer.
I think I'll look for this beer in a local craft.
Posted by: Beer Fan | August 22, 2008 10:53 AM
Any thoughts on Oktoberfest and "fall" beers being out already? It isn't even labor day yet, but the micros have their pumpkin and Oktoberfest brews out and about. They are slowly getting worse than retail, where this season's winter wardrobes are already out and beachwear is on sale...
Posted by: Cheese | August 22, 2008 3:38 PM
I haven't yet met a Michelob that I've liked.
Posted by: alba | August 26, 2008 4:33 PM
A/B? Blah. I've been anti-big beer ever since they bought Rolling Rock and moved brewing from Latrobe PA to Newark NJ. A/B is to beer what Sutter Home White Zinfandel is to wine.
PLENTY of local / micro / imports to drink.
And the Dogfish 120 Minute IPA is available again. Talk about a BIG beer.
Posted by: TimD | August 28, 2008 9:17 PM