Brew Masters Private Reserve
Anheuser-Busch

Brew Masters Private ReserveBrew Masters Private Reserve
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From:
Anheuser-Busch
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
American Lager
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 17.19%
Reviews:
104
Ratings:
121
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 05, 2022
Added:
Nov 13, 2005
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  3
Decades ago, Budweiser brewmasters started a tradition. During the holidays, they'd collect the purest liquid from the brewing kettles; pre-sparged, first wort. This first stock - unusually smooth and rich despite its robust alcohol - was reserved for A-B friends and family, until now. Note from the brewers: this an all-malt beer; NO rice or corn. Imported hops. 20 Plato. It's also a completely different recipe than Budweiser.
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Ratings by beerphilosopher:
Photo of beerphilosopher
Reviewed by beerphilosopher from Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a wide mouth tulip-style glass from a huge quart-size dark abber bottle with a flip top that's really very cool looking. Great packaging, if you ask me.

A - Bright golden with lots of effervescence. Tall, two-finger white head that dissipates pretty fast. Minimal lacing left behind. Certainly a richer color than a typical Bud.

S - Not at all what I expected. While it's a little "Bud-like," it's more ... dare I say this ... like a decent belgian beer. It's got that malty, yeasty character that it characteristic of a Belgian. Reminds me a little of a Duvel knock-off. I say this knowing that the mere suggestion that a BUd product is like a Belgian is tantamount to beer heresy. Still, I stand by my assessment.

T - Again, this beer is surprising me. Good malty body with a very discernable yeast backbone. Like a baked bread or pie. Not a lot of hop attitude here, but a very, very respectable malt beer. Slightly spicy, sweet, and smooth, yet not cloying.

M - Very clean and crisp ... now that is not so suprising. Fairly light and smooth. Finishes easy.

D - This beer is very drinkable, especially since the 8.5 abv is well hidden. I'd like to taste test this one with a few of my discerning beer buddies. I'd put money on it that they wouldn't know this was a Bud product in a million years. I'm truly impressed with this one ... I love it when a beer exceeds my expectations in almost every regard. Doesn't happen often. And it's even less likely that it would be a Bud offering ... way to go Augustus!

Try this one and swallow your "beer pride." If you can allow yourself to admit that Budweiser can produce a quality beer, you might just like this one. It's a shame it's a "once a year" beer.

Hmmm ... anyone ever tried to cellar this? (assuming you could get it several years ago?) At 8.5 I recon it's right on the edge of feasibility?
Dec 16, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.63 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Jun 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.87 by Fishwhisperer from Michigan

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by harryhops from Delaware

Jan 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by Lare453 from Florida

Feb 22, 2015
 
Rated: 1.75 by SoCalBeerIdiot from California

Dec 02, 2014
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

1.75/5  rDev -49.9%
I was lucky enough to taste a 2006 Vintage at a bottle share. I'm hoping that was simply past its prime, because the beer tasted a lot like bran cereal soaking in water. Not something I want a liter of.....
Dec 02, 2014
Photo of SD-Alefan
Rated by SD-Alefan from South Dakota

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
Bottle (2007)
Had a 5oz. sample
Held up surprisingly well.
Lots of nicely-rounded malt flavors, some dark fruit and a bit of leather.
Not bad.
Oct 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.48 by rpbisaillon from New York

Aug 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by bzach from Indiana

Nov 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Oct 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by tadmuchowski from District of Columbia

Jun 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Jason from Massachusetts

Jan 12, 2013
Photo of ehammond1
Reviewed by ehammond1

3.47/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle (2006)

Thanks for opening this with me, UCLABrewN84!

(Aged for 6 years)

Clear light amber with some carbonation and a small white head that leaves dots of lace down the glass.

Sweet, fruity aroma of apple juice and bready malt.

The sweet flavors are similar to the aroma, with an earthy and sweet apple juice flavor playing the largest role along with bread and simple grain. Low bitterness.

Medium bodied with low carbonation.

Good enough, and far better than I anticipated.
Jun 13, 2012
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.58/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle I brought to share at DarthKostrizer's tasting.

2006 vintage.

Pours a clear brown with a khaki head that settles to a thin cap on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, apple juice/cider, and some slight vegetal aromas. Taste is the same along with some slight brown sugar flavors. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is actually a pretty good beer that has held up for 6 or so years. If I was given this blind, I would never guess it was an AB product.
Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by MrVonzipper from California

Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by imperialking from Illinois

May 31, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by alalvarez75 from New York

Mar 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by bonbini26 from New Jersey

Jan 10, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by rab53 from Washington

Nov 22, 2011
Brew Masters Private Reserve from Anheuser-Busch
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 121 ratings