Budweiser’s New Patriotic Beer Inspired by George Washington

As the most iconic American brewer in the world, Budweiser faced some criticism when it renamed its flagship beer to “America” in 2016. Unhappy beer drinkers complained that Budweiser was simply taking advantage of the election year to rename and repackage its beer, which has been dropping off in terms of popularity, as part of an effort to gain favor among Americans who supported the controversial campaign that ultimately elected Donald Trump as President of the United States.

Another complaint lodged against Budweiser is that the company did not change the formulation or taste of its “America” beer; in other words, beer drinkers were disappointed at the company’s marketing attempt to cash in on patriotism. Budweiser has apparently taken the criticism to heart; according to a recent news report published by Esquire, the brewer’s new beer checks all the marks of patriotism, from American history to charitable outreach and from recipe to packaging.

Budweiser Freedom Reserve Red Lager is a new beer inspired by George Washington, a Founding Father and the first President of the United States. The Freedom Reserve Red Lager’s brewing recipe comes from the journals that Washington kept as a military officer fighting on behalf of the North American British colonies against French and Native American forces from 1756 to 1763, a conflict known as the French and Indian War.

In essence, Washington’s original recipe was for a lager that favored taste over alcohol content. Molasses, fresh hops and toasted barley were the ingredients favored by Washington, who brewed lagers in his own estate. Budweiser’s Freedom Reserve Red Lager adds more alcohol to the recipe for the purpose of appealing to drinkers who are used to the 5.4 percent of traditional Budweiser. This new beer features a slightly sweet taste and comes in a glass bottle that resembles the containers used during the colonial period.

The more patriotic aspect of this new beer, which will be available from now until September, is that it is being lovingly brewed by American veterans; moreover, part of the proceeds from the sale of this limited edition will go to a charity that offers scholarships to members of the U.s. Armed Forces and their families.

Like other Founding Fathers, Washington was known to be a brewing aficionado, it is therefore not surprising to learn that he wrote down a beer recipe in the midst of armed conflict. For many decades, beer has been brewed in the White House; in fact, the Obama administration made its recipe public years ago.