Cheap Texas beers reviewed including Bud Light Platinum

Bud Ice

Probably the most popular 40 ounce. Smells overly sweet for my taste, but drinkable. “Ice” beers are supposedly brewed like any other beers, and then a percentage of the beer is frozen, and removed to boost alcohol, without excessive funky smells and flavors that fermenting it in would produce. (alcohol doesn’t freeze) Basically they brew a 4% ABV ale, and freeze out enough water to make it 5.5% ABV. Drinkable, I give it a 5.5.

Keystone Ice

Keystone beers are the sub-premium line from Coors. Smells fruity, seems flat, with little foam that quickly disappears. After a few sips you realize that it tastes better when you gulp it. Then you realize that you have a smooth buzz. Its ok. It gets a 5.

Keystone Light

Tastes exactly like Coors light. Cold filtered. Has the characteristic grainy taste of all Coors beers. Popular and semi-cool. I never buy this, but if that’s what is on ice, I drink it. Played beer pong once with a keg of Keystone. After 5 or 6 of these, one more sounds, and tastes pretty good. I give Keystone a 7.

Milwaukees Best Ice

Comes in a 32oz “Crusher” can. Compared with Bud Ice, The flavor is superior. Hoppy sweetness, no fruity smell. Very drinkable. Surprisingly good for the price. Far exceeded my expectations for an “Ice” beer. I give this one a 6.

Hurricane High Gravity

HHG is a highly alcoholic amber ale, only available in 24 oz cans. I think they came up with this just after Hurricane Katrina. Possibly to help disaster victims forget about the bedlam. I had to try one when they came out. Its pretty- dark amber with a healthy yellow head. Smells of rotten bananas mixed with gasoline. High ABV. Tastes even worse than it smells. If you drink the whole thing fast, you get a cross-eyed case of heartburn, with a touch of nausea. Awful. I give it a 2.

Old English

A famous American malt liquor, O.E., is just about everywhere. If you have never tried it, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Smells nice, slightly floral with virtually no discernable bad smell. The flavor is remarkable, with a nice balance and distinctive hoppy-ness. The beer is heavy though. Good as a 40 oz night-cap. I give it a 7.

Busch

Busch beer is always available anywhere beer is sold, and definitely has that famous “drink ability” that A.B. uses in their ads. Similar in many ways to Budweiser, it pours up the same, same carbonation and head retention. Leaves a slight lacing on the glass, if you drink it before the foam fades. The ingredients are somewhat different from Bud. There are more adjunct grains like corn, in Busch, which equates to a bit more buzz in the beer. It is not “beechwood aged” as is Budweiser, which is most likely why it’s a sub-premium. Good beer- I give it an 8.

Natural Light

Natural light is Anheuser Busch’s sub-premium light brew. Its basically 98% water. If you like to buy bottled water, this beer is for you. I am not sure of the alcohol content, but from experience, its little to none. Beery smelling sparkling water. If you have been out in the sun all day, and are in need of hydration, it tastes pretty decent. Otherwise this beer is pretty bad. It has short-lived head, and a taste like sparkling mineral water with added bitterness that lingers for some time. I have to admit’ I have downed a few nattys in my day. Coolness factor zero. Makes me think of seventy year-old retired construction contractor type guys who only buy it because its cheap. Busch is trying to get young partier types to buy it. I’ve seen a few ads that try to make it cool. I don’t think natty light will ever be as cool as Bud light. it’s a definite 4.

Natty Daddy

This is new, apparently brewed from the same ingredients as Natural light, only lots more of them. At 8% ABV, it is the strongest "lager" for under two bucks. I was shocked at how pleasant this swill was. Smells nice, not scary. The effect is exactly like a double shot of bourbon, and a beer. Pale yellow with a bit of alcohol on the nose. Tastes like decent beer. Decadent. It gets a 5.

Bud Light Platinum

Here's a new one for ya. It's not "cheap" but worth a mention. Comes in a pretty blue glass bottle. (six packs only for now) Tastes good. Sweet. The main difference between regular Bud Light and Bud Light Platinum is higher alcohol content.(6% ABV) It's a bit sweeter, but still as drinkable as Bud Light.(Might as well be Budweiser) Same price as other premium A.B. brews. Surprisingly there is no alcohol smell. Just a good chug-a-lug. I believe that 20 years ago,Texas Budweiser was 6.2% alcohol. It's been 5% since I was old enough to buy it. Good news- more bang for your buck! I give it a 6.