There’s nothing quite like opening up a cold beer and hearing that wonderful hiss as you take a sip and it hits all the right places. But let’s be honest some beers are tantamount to a betrayal in a can and leave you with a scowl and a glance over at the sink. I’ve had my fair share of beers that would promise hydration and deliver regret, and I know I’m not alone. From soggy flops to weird flavor tests, these 12 beers have a bad reputation among consumers. Whether artificial tastes or simply bad thoughts, here are my opinions about the best of the worst based on scores of disillusioned sips. Let’s get on with it and preserve your next beer run!
Why Some Beers Flop
Not every beer is a winner. Some lack flavor, others overwhelm with artificial notes, and a few are just plain odd. I’ve learned the hard way that a shiny can doesn’t guarantee a good time. These 12 beers, ranked from bad to downright undrinkable, are the ones folks agree are best avoided. From college parties to misguided grocery grabs, I’ve tasted (and regretted) a few of these myself. Here’s why they miss the mark.
1. Bud Light Chelada
Leading the list of liquid disappointments is Bud Light Chelada, a beer-tomato chimera that is fun to imagine but tasting like a joke. I had once attempted it, anticipating a zesty Michelada flavor, and received a salty, acidic attack. The fake tomato taste washes over any trace of beer, leaving a bitter, unbalanced disaster. It’s a Bloody Mary disaster, with no relief in store.
2. Olde English 800
Olde English 800 is the malt liquor you reach for when you’re seeking a buzz on a tight budget. I confess, I’ve been there in my penniless college years. But this beer’s syrupy sweetness and boozy kick are a bumpy ride. The lingering, nearly metallic aftertaste makes each sip a struggle. It’s strong at 7.5% ABV, but there’s no pleasure in drinking it.
3. Budweiser Chelada
Hard on the tail of its Bud Light relative, Budweiser Chelada attempts to hit the savory beer cocktail but crashes and burns. The flavor of tomato is overwhelming and artificial, with a salty, acid zing that overwhelms the beer. I had the bad luck to serve this at a barbecue my friends still razz me. It’s akin to a canned hangover remedy that forgot to be a refresher.
4. Budweiser & Clamato Chelada
If you thought Cheladas were bad, just wait until you try Budweiser & Clamato Chelada. The clam juice elevates this beer to an all-time low, introducing a fishy, long-lasting aftertaste that lingers in your mouth. I had it on a challenge and regretted every moment. The tomato-clam mixture is salty, fake-tasting, and just wrong.
5. Miller Chill
Miller Chill attempted to catch the lime-beer trend but crashed and burned. I was looking forward to a zesty drink, but the chemical lime and salt taste like a low-end margarita mix that’s turned. The weak beer flavor can’t hold its own, leaving a lingering chemical finish that hangs on too long. It’s a fad-follower failure.
6. Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus
Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus has a great-sounding name, but it’s a flavor test that should have remained on the shelf. The lime is almost neon in its artifice, and the “cactus” introduces an odd, soapy quality. I had it at a party at a friend’s house and was unable to drink the whole bottle. It’s almost more of a failed soda than beer.
7. Natural Ice
Natural Ice is the cheap leader among high-ABV beers at 5.9%, but it’s a crude pour. I bought a case one time for a camping trip, thinking cheap and potent was a good idea. Bad idea. The grainy sweetness and boozy metallic finish make it unpleasant to consume. It’s almost not a beer so much as a vehicle to a buzz.
8. Bud Ice
Bud Ice touts a more potent Budweiser but offers a sweet, watery mess with a chemical finish. I drank it anticipating a fierce lager, but it tasted like a science experiment failed. Harsh carbonation and inadequate depth make it easily forgettable.
9. Budweiser Light
Budweiser Light is lighter than air. I drank one at a bar and couldn’t help but question whether or not I was sipping on carbonated water. The very subtle grainy sweetness and metallic aftertaste have no personality. It’s a weakened version of an already light beer, and thus completely pointless.
10. Bud Light Lime
Bud Light Lime might have been a summer sensation, but it gets defeated by a syrupy, artificial lime flavor. I drank it on a sweltering afternoon in hopes of cooling off and was rewarded with a cloying, soda-like disaster. The beer itself disappears under the phony citrus assault.
11. Icehouse
Icehouse delivers a punch at 5.5% ABV but the taste doesn’t follow through. I picked it up for a tailgate, tempted by the budget price, and received a syrupy, boozy beer with abrasive carbonation. It’s more alcohol than fun, with a cheap malt aftertaste.
12. Busch Light
Busch Light is the ultimate “barely beer” experience. I’ve chugged it at parties where options were slim, and it’s like drinking slightly boozy water. The faint corny sweetness and metallic finish offer no depth. It’s refreshing in a pinch, but that’s it.
Steer Clear and Sip Smart
These 12 beers are testament that not all brews are worth your while. From flavor bombs made of fake stuff to watered-down letdowns, they’ve earned their place on the “pour it out” list. I’ve learned to avoid them after taking one too many bad sips, and you can too. The next time you are shopping at the store, grab a craft beer or a tried-and-true classic instead. Your taste buds are better than that, and your sink will appreciate that you’re not letting these beers take over. Cheers to improved beer selection!
