After an unbearably difficult day at work I was looking forward to a cold one and some barbecue bratwurst. I've been thinking of trying the new offering from the Miller Brewing Company, Miller Chill. A lime and salt alternative to Corona, I presume.
The night began badly when I found that the gas grill had been so badly damaged by last week's wind that it is now totally unusable. In fact, it looks not entirely unlike a crushed U-boat at the bottom of the Atlantic.
The moment I realized my brats were relegated to the George Foreman grill was the moment I opened the first beer. I figured I would need a head start.
My initial impression was that this was pretty much fizzy water with half a packet of lime Kool-Aid in it. A quick glance at the label showed a caloric count of 110. Not very many. I would guess at an alcohol content of about 3%. That explains why two beers later I still felt like I was drinking O'Doul's. Well... O'Doul's and lime punch.
Tasty enough, sure but it doesn't really even taste that much like beer. For some people that's a good thing. My overall impression? This is a highschool girl's beer.
But I'm still going to drink the rest because, hell, it's cold and it's beer. I'm not an idiot. Well... not that kind of idiot.
Filed under - BeerOy. Let that be a lesson to you. Stay far, far, far away from any grocery store beer that proclaims flavoring. You would be better off by buying a 12 pack of Miller High Life (awesome name) and putting a lime in it.
What the hell ever happened to Zima, by the way. Ah Zima. The Sprite of malted beverages!
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http://www.signifyingnothing.com/clint
you live in Utah right? and you were expecting a beer with an alcohol content above 3%??
I hate to break it to you, but most beer sold in the U.S. unless it is specifically marked is 3.2 beer. Trust me, I've researched this one. They don't just make Bud 3.2 for Utah. Sure you can buy "Ice" beers in grocery stores in other states that have higher volumes of alcohol, but the standard beers are just what they are in Wyoming as they are in Utah.
Did you know, as well, that all beer sold on military bases is "3.2" beer?
And please don't belabor the point by saying the stronger beers are available in grocery stores in other parts of the country. Yes, of course they are. Budwiser is Budwiser whereever you go, however. It is all the same.
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http://www.signifyingnothing.com/clint
to be clear(er)... 3.2 is by weight which is not how beer is measured. 3.2 is really 4 by volume. This compared to about 5 - 6 ABV most other places. A huge difference? No. But a difference? Yes.
110 calories is maybe 3% by volume. Weak by every standard, even Utah's.
Bud is about 5.5 elsewhere. Almost 50% stronger. Not that I encourage anyone to drink that crap either way.
Here's a good chart outlining the alcohol content in several popular brands...
http://www.beer100.com/beercalories.htm
And another...
Could've been Pabst Blue Ribbon (the beer that keeps on givin'). Though I don't think I'd cook with a flavored beer. That just seems like it would be asking for trouble.
At least you're not wasteful; I hate it when people waste beer, even if it does taste like uric acid and college.
You can tell if a Beer is above 3.2 if it says OK+ on the label.
OK, UT, and IA are the only 3 states that have the 3.2 beer law.
Do they sell Sam Adams in UT? If not, its worth the trip to ID :)
Sam Adams is available only in the liquor stores. Most grocery store beers, however, are to your OK+ standard. As I said previously, Bud is Bud where-ever you go.
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http://www.signifyingnothing.com/clint
i've blogged about the miller chill a couple of times. i like lots of different kind of beer...and i wish i could argue with you about it being a chick beer...but it is SOO a chick beer.
but i like it...and i found a store where it's cheap. we drink miller lite on a regular basis in this household anyway...
The novelty of Chill wears off very quickly. it is a poor substitute for a Corona with lime.
I still don't understand who at the Miller plant decided it was a good idea to add salt and lime to their beer. The commercial played for a little bit and now its all but gone. Do they even sell it anymore? I have to agree that the exec's back at the plant were trying to think of the next product to put out for people who "don't enjoy the taste of beer" and they came up with adding lime and salt. That's what the companies are good at, coming up with products for people who don't like their regular product.
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You must finish the beer. Or at least cook with it. That's what I did with the Coors my Dad left here last time he visited. It was great for chili, stew, brats, all kind of stuff. I didn't drink it though!