BAD Beer Thread

[tower912]

Or, What would you NOT drink, even if you were handed a free cold one?     We have been listing great beers we have drank, but somewhere back in our past, (or maybe just mine) we were at a place or time where we were debating the relative merits of Keystone vs. Milwaukee's Best vs. Goebels vs. Hamms vs. Old Milwaukee.    (shudder)    For me, I have never been able to stand the taste of Budweiser.   Of bad cheap beers, I would have to say Goebels.   

[Wareagle]

Lazy Mutt has to be the worst beer I have ever tasted.  The brewery tried to copy Spotted Cow and just got it all wrong.

[mu89]

Mountain Creek. worst. beer. ever.

[JimmyBIToldYa]

just naming some beers found in the original beer thread, i do not like gumballhead, and i cannot stand fat tire

[rocky_warrior]

Suppose there are some really "bad" beers, but I think that's mostly up to personal taste.  Instead, I'll list a couple I avoid from bottles, because they are nearly always skunky...

1) Fat Tire
2) Newcastle

I'm sure there are more, but those two are the worst.  Decent on tap, but terrible out of the bottle.

[Skatastrophy]

Guinness.

I'm not a beer guy in general (so I'll keep myself out of the rest of the beer threads) but halfway through a Guinness I'm full to the point that I can't eat or drink anymore for at least an hour.  I can't even enjoy it because it makes me feel like I'm turning into a whale.

[IAmMarquette]

Guinness.

Thank you. Possibly the single most-overrated beer on the planet.

[Hards Alumni]

Guinness.

I'm not a beer guy in general (so I'll keep myself out of the rest of the beer threads) but halfway through a Guinness I'm full to the point that I can't eat or drink anymore for at least an hour.  I can't even enjoy it because it makes me feel like I'm turning into a whale.

interesting... and probably not true since a Guinness has about 110 calories.

common misconception that it is a full bodied beer though.

[MUfan12]

Totally a mental thing, no doubt. I can take down Guinness faster than Miller Lite most nights.

[Henry Sugar]

2) Newcastle

For years, Newcastle was one of my favorite beers.  Loved the brown ale.  Then, I went out for dinner about 3-4 years ago with a co-worker from England.  I ordered a Newcastle, at which point my co-worker proceeded to insult me (despite my protests).  Basically, his point was that it was a drink for 15 year olds, and northern England 15 year olds at that.  Several other co-workers made a similar comment in separate comments.  Notwithstanding petty geographical differences...

I've not been able to drink a Newcastle since then.  Can't get past the notion of it being a kids drink.

[PBRme]

Bud Light and Bud light lime

Basically any beer with a fruit is out for me.

[MU B2002]

Heineken.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

A friend once joined Beer of the Month Club and received  Pumpkin beer. I spit it out


" GUINESS FOR HEALTH"

[reinko]

Heineken.

+1, tastes like piss in a bottle.

[tower912]

Heineken, Corona, Leinenkugel Berry Weiss,  Grolsch, Dos Equis. 

[rocky_warrior]

Ohhh...Guinness is another good choice for beers that are often "skunky" (or at least not fresh).

Though I agree, with fresh Guinness, I can throw it down about as fast as PBR (which is a mighty fine cheap beer if you ask me...)

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

Mountain Creek. worst. beer. ever.

Oh man, +10000000. It has a picture of leaves on the can, and it tastes just like the leaves on the can.

[reinko]

Moosehead is another.  Killians.  Bud Light has this wicked aftertaste, especially on tap.  Just gross.

[RJax55]

Haha, I know this is a huge shock, but Budweiser Select 55 is just awful.

[Sir Lawrence]

Never much understood all the hoopla over "Spotted Cow." 

"Uff Da Bock" on the other hand, is not bad, although I can't say I've seen much of it around . 

[jaybilaswho?]

whats the beer that has the elephant on it? its a green bottle (similar to rolling rock or Heinekein). That stuff is bad.

Also any of the sprecher beers.

[MU B2002]

whats the beer that has the elephant on it? its a green bottle (similar to rolling rock or Heinekein). That stuff is bad.

Also any of the sprecher beers.

I believe you are referring to Carlsburg.


I would also add Budweiser's American Ale to this list.  (note:not a very good showing for Anheiser.)
Bud light, Select, Lime, American Ale, killians (which I think they own.)

[Hards Alumni]

Never much understood all the hoopla over "Spotted Cow." 

"Uff Da Bock" on the other hand, is not bad, although I can't say I've seen much of it around . 

completely agree with you about the Cow... I always thought it was flat and just nothing special... it seems to be everyone's introduction to micro brew beer though, so I give it that credit... like a 'gateway drug'

carlsburg isn't too bad... I had some over in France... maybe you just got a bad 6 pack?

Killians out of the tap isn't awful.

[pillardean]

Classic Ice

Used to come in 48 pack looking like a mini keg for like 14.99.

Tastes like you're drinking rust water, and the next morning you can't feel your tongue and you taste rust with everything you eat.

[StillAWarrior]

I absolutely hate regular Budweiser.  I just don't get it.  I can't think of another product (beer or otherwise) that has done so much with so little.

[drewm88]

killians (which I think they own.)

Killian's is owned by MillerCoors. And I like it.

[IAmMarquette]

I respectfully disagree with the posters who listed Dos Equis and Budweiser.

[JimmyBIToldYa]

of coors, miller, and bud; bud is by FAR the worst. i would say coors original # 1, followed by miller high life.

hell, give me a miller lite before ill touch a bud

[MU B2002]

for the record i also like killians (on tap.) i was simply listing it as a beer i thought was owned by AB.  But i was wrong.   

[muhoosier260]

Although many of us can agree on the truly terrible beers like classic ice, jaguar, steel reserve, etc., this is always a futile argument b/c everyone has different preferences. Kinda like the best movie, or best band discussion. I disagree with a majority of the postings on here (I like Guinness, Budweiser, Bud Light, Spotted Cow, Newcastle) but again, different strokes for different folks. I'll agree that I can't stand Corona or Heineken. I've always thought Rolling Rock is pretty terrible too.
Acquiring a taste for different brands is possible too. I use to hate, hate, hate high life. Its not my favorite now, but I can tolerate it; same with MGD.

[Wareagle]

One of the most ridiculous things has always been premium beers that are sold in green or clear bottles.  They let in more light than brown bottles.  Light degrades the beer.  I'm looking at you, Heineken and Corona.

[JimmyBIToldYa]

One of the most ridiculous things has always been premium beers that are sold in green or clear bottles.  They let in more light than brown bottles.  Light degrades the beer.  I'm looking at you, Heineken and Corona.

im not arguing with you because i personally have no idea, but ive heard that is a common misconception

[Wareagle]

im not arguing with you because i personally have no idea, but ive heard that is a common misconception

No worries.  Here is an article discussing it.  I may have been wrong on the green though.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=chemists-determine-cause

[Chili]

No worries.  Here is an article discussing it.  I may have been wrong on the green though.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=chemists-determine-cause

Heat and light are what makes beer turn skunky. Similarly, beer that has been cold needs to remain cold or you risk it going skunky wen you start playing the cold, warm cold thing.

Brown glass is best for light safety. Green isn't as good as brown but is better than clear.

Another thing is that kegged beer needs to remain cold as it is not pasteurized. Unpasteurized beer can skunk even easier than pasturized beer (or cold filtered like MGD).

[Chili]

Bad beers:

Olympia
Rheinlander
Bud Light
Natural Light
Busch
Coors Banquent $30 barrels delivered from Greenfield Liquor
Gluek
Hamms Light
Mountain Creek
Anything by La Crosse Brewing
Stone Smoked Porter
Sterling

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

I absolutely hate regular Budweiser.  I just don't get it.  I can't think of another product (beer or otherwise) that has done so much with so little.

Ah, good old Bud Diesel.

[JimmyBIToldYa]

Bad beers:

Olympia
Rheinlander
Bud Light
Natural Light
Busch
Coors Banquent $30 barrels delivered from Greenfield Liquor
Gluek
Hamms Light
Mountain Creek
Anything by La Crosse Brewing
Stone Smoked Porter
Sterling

i actually really enjoy coors banquet. what is this about $30 barrels? i am interested

[rocky_warrior]

Bad beers:
Stone Smoked Porter

Really? Can I ask why?  I've been waiting for the local tap-house to get it on tap (they say soon), but I'm willing to be convinced not to waste my money.

I disagree with a majority of the postings on here (I like Guinness, Budweiser, Bud Light, Spotted Cow, Newcastle)

I agree for the most part, different people like different beers.  However, if you've ever had a fresh Guinness or a fresh Newcastle (on tap), you'll quickly learn to dislike the stuff you get out of bottles.  I'm not saying they're bad beers, merely, they are beers that have gone bad. 

Heat and light are what makes beer turn skunky.

You only left out Oxygen.  Hence why all (most) kegs (in the US) are fed with CO2 (or Nitro).  Actually, in the UK you'll find several bars that serve cask beer (no CO2), but that's only because they know they'll empty the keg in less than 3 days.  Some micro-breweries in the US will also do this, and I particularly enjoy cask selections, but you don't find it that often, and usually they're going for some "extra" flavor (which would be considered a defect in the beer).  Anyhow, yes, keep your beer away from heat, light, and O2....

[Chili]

Really? Can I ask why?  I've been waiting for the local tap-house to get it on tap (they say soon), but I'm willing to be convinced not to waste my money.

I think my buddy hit the description on the head when he said it was like tasting a "sweat sock that has been soaked in chew spit". Just had this really funky flavor. It might just be a flavor profile I am not a fan of. I would still say ask for a sample when they get it on tap.

I had a smoked Pilsner not too long ago at a beer tasting at Comet Cafe and that was a lot better. Actually tasted like bacon.

[Chili]

i actually really enjoy coors banquet. what is this about $30 barrels? i am interested

Back in the 90s when Greenfield Liquor (RIP  ) still delivered barrels, they would run a huge special on Coors Banquet for like $30 a half barrel. The stuff is like bread in glass. Just not good.

[jficke13]

since we brew our own we've kind of become beer snobs (not that I won't throw back some cheapo beer once in a while) but my absolute dead last mass-market beer is coors light. totally unconsumable by humans.

[Chili]

since we brew our own we've kind of become beer snobs (not that I won't throw back some cheapo beer once in a while) but my absolute dead last mass-market beer is coors light. totally unconsumable by humans.

my beer nerd friends and i have come to the conclusion that most beers have a time and a place. like miller lite is not a great beer, but, it is almost all of our favorite mass consumption beer.

now if i have my choice i am drinking american micro's all night long, but sometimes i just want to try and put a case of miller lite down in a day.

[MilTown]

Any beer with "ICE" in its name. Althought I do recall having a fantastic night or two at MU after consuming a number of Olympia Ice's.

Did I really see a "Natty Light" commercial over the weekend?

Two other popular beers that I can't stand are PBR and Schlitz. There is a reason that they basically disappeared over the years and have only reappeared thanks to mass marketing and hipsters. Retro does not equal good. 

[Chili]

Two other popular beers that I can't stand are PBR and Schlitz.

Schlitz went back to an older recipe that it originally had when it was an extremely popular beer. But why did PBR become unpopular? Oh that's right, people in the 80's and 90's were told not to like it by marketers. PBR was the best selling beer in the world for a long time for a reason.

The High Life's, PBR's, Schlitz, Old Styles, etc. are the true first American beers. A lot them got basterdized in the 70's, 80's and 90's to try and turn a quick profit. Some of them had formula changes that were done as cost cutting measures that hurt them. Others lost out to the "light beer" craze.

I mean if it was good enough for my grandpa back in the 40's, 50's and 60's - it is good enough for me too.

[Hards Alumni]

Schlitz went back to an older recipe that it originally had when it was an extremely popular beer. But why did PBR become unpopular? Oh that's right, people in the 80's and 90's were told not to like it by marketers. PBR was the best selling beer in the world for a long time for a reason.

The High Life's, PBR's, Schlitz, Old Styles, etc. are the true first American beers. A lot them got basterdized in the 70's, 80's and 90's to try and turn a quick profit. Some of them had formula changes that were done as cost cutting measures that hurt them. Others lost out to the "light beer" craze.

I mean if it was good enough for my grandpa back in the 40's, 50's and 60's - it is good enough for me too.

you beat me to this.

[MU B2002]

Did I really see a "Natty Light" commercial over the weekend?

Yes, and it was probably for the Natty Caddy.

[MilTown]

I think the only reason those beers were popular was because there wasn't much else available. 

[Hards Alumni]

I think the only reason those beers were popular was because there wasn't much else available. 

microbrews didn't really exist before the 90s.

[MilTown]

Exactly, so people had a lack of selection and were forced to drink beers like PBR or Miller High Life, or other regional beers that dominated a certain area. I'm not debating the fact that PBR was once popular. My point is that popular doesn't mean it's good.

[Hards Alumni]

I'll agree with your premise.

But I will disagree that PBR and Schlitz (especially Schlitz) are awful beers.  They each have their own place.

[ATL MU Warrior]

hands down worst beer I've ever had is Schlitz Dark.  Tried to drink it at an MU party in the early '90's but it was really undrinkable, and that's no lie. 

Cross between motor oil and maple syrup.

I think my buddies got it for $20 for a half barrel. 

[BrewCity83]

We called Stroh's Light "hot dog beer" because it tastes like the water that you boiled hot dogs in.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Any beer with "ICE" in its name. Althought I do recall having a fantastic night or two at MU after consuming a number of Olympia Ice's.

Did I really see a "Natty Light" commercial over the weekend?

Two other popular beers that I can't stand are PBR and Schlitz. There is a reason that they basically disappeared over the years and have only reappeared thanks to mass marketing and hipsters. Retro does not equal good. 

The only time I can ever remember throwing up the day after a night of drinking is after drinking Bud Ice. Fermented sewer water has to taste better.

[AlumKCof93]

Am I really the one person that can't stand Blue Moon?  I hate that stuff.

[GGGG]

Am I really the one person that can't stand Blue Moon?  I hate that stuff.

Thank you.  I was just going to post this.  Any wheat beer, especially Belgian style, is terrible.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I refuse to drink any wheat beer except an occassional "Yellowjacket"  3/4 Guiness with Hefweissen on top. Usually without the "stinger"(shot of Jamison)

[lurch91]

Bud Dry sucked ass.

I also remember fondly, then shudder, back in the late 80's being able to get a returnable case of beer from Pick n' Save down by Miller for $4.25 (that included the deposit) of Huber, Huber Bock, Old Milwaukee or Milwaukee's Best.  Of the four, Huber Bock tasted the least like licking dirty feet.

[GGGG]

Bud Dry sucked ass.

I also remember fondly, then shudder, back in the late 80's being able to get a returnable case of beer from Pick n' Save down by Miller for $4.25 (that included the deposit) of Huber, Huber Bock, Old Milwaukee or Milwaukee's Best.  Of the four, Huber Bock tasted the least like licking dirty feet.

Long live the P-n-S shuttle bus.  I'd walk around for a half-hour just eating all the free samples.

[MilTown]

Huber!! That stuff goes down like water but gives the worst hangover ever. I don't really know if I can call Huber bad because it has almost zero flavor. Huber Bock on the other hand is brutal.

Has anyone ever had the bud light/clamato? That has to be horrible.



 

[Fullodds]

Old Style

Mickeys big mouth

Bud Light

Some breweries spend moneu on product and some spend it on advertising. Mass marketed beers (miller/Bud) don't compare to micro's and other crafted beers.

Now I'm thirsty!!

[Marquette Gyros]

How has High Life Light not been mentioned?

[OneMadWarrior]

Milwaukee County Brewing Company ICE is the beer that came in the giant 48 beer keg packs. It was awful and cheap. Personally Bud Light is god awful, agree with Heineken und BECK's

[Chili]

How has High Life Light not been mentioned?

Because this is the Bad Beer Thread.

[MU B2002]

Because this is the Bad Beer Thread.

+1

How could any beer compared to Champagne be bad?!

[MARQKC]

Bud Light and Bud light lime

Basically any beer with a fruit is out for me.

100% agree with this post.

If the word "light" or any variable spelling of that word is in the name of the beer, I really prefer not to bother. Just fancy bottled water. What's the point?

Ditto fruit. I'm a member of the NO FRUIT IN BEER CLUB. I've been known to yell at bartenders and waitresses who serve a beer with fruit on the rim, especially an orange (orange? WTF?) slice. I've been known to yell at bartenders putting fruit on the rims of beers they're pouring for other people. Then I yell at those people. "Whadaya? Stoopid?"

It's amazing they even let me in some bars anymore.

[Hards Alumni]

100% agree with this post.

If the word "light" or any variable spelling of that word is in the name of the beer, I really prefer not to bother. Just fancy bottled water. What's the point?

Ditto fruit. I'm a member of the NO FRUIT IN BEER CLUB. I've been known to yell at bartenders and waitresses who serve a beer with fruit on the rim, especially an orange (orange? WTF?) slice. I've been known to yell at bartenders putting fruit on the rims of beers they're pouring for other people. Then I yell at those people. "Whadaya? Stoopid?"

It's amazing they even let me in some bars anymore.

It is amazing.  Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean that isn't the way the beer is typically served.  If you don't want anything, simply ask for yours with no fruit.

[MU B2002]

It is amazing.  Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean that isn't the way the beer is typically served.  If you don't want anything, simply ask for yours with no fruit.

I actually can only stand to drink Blue Moon with the orange, so yes I am stupid.  Maybe I just just ask for a glass of orange juice.

 

[Ari Gold]

I agree with people that say Guinness. I'm just not a dark beer person and then to try and choke down something that is bog water and chocolate syrup is too much for me.  I find that some of the cheaper beers like Keystone and Natty were great when I wanted to get drunk at a house party and I don't mind them now.

Here are some beers that I can't drink though:

Leine's Fireside Nut
Old German Beer Hall's dunkel
Red Dog
Milwaukee Classic Ice ($10 for a 30, my fishing buddies drink it)
Billy Beer
MGD 64
Lakefront's Fuel Cafe

[Sir Lawrence]

Billy Beer

Really.  What, you had a six pack laying around in the basement from 1981?

[Ari Gold]

Really.  What, you had a six pack laying around in the basement from 1981?

that may explain the taste...

[Spotcheck Billy]

any Lite/Light beer, don't even consider it beer, in fact, why bother drinking then?  - I'll gladly drink tap water instead. I hate going to weddings when the free beer is Lite 

I read somewhere that MGD 64 is 2.7% ABV - that's not beer it's NA - I bet you can't drink enough of that to become intoxicated "but officer, all I had was MGD 64"

[Chili]

any Lite/Light beer, don't even consider it beer, in fact, why bother drinking then?  - I'll gladly drink tap water instead. I hate going to weddings when the free beer is Lite 

I read somewhere that MGD 64 is 2.7% ABV - that's not beer it's NA - I bet you can't drink enough of that to become intoxicated "but officer, all I had was MGD 64"

It is 2.8% ABV. Budweiser now has Bud Select 55 out in certain markets. When you get down to that low calorie of a beer the only thing you can remove to make it that low is the alcohol.

[muhoosier260]

i thought this was relevant, its the top 15 selling beers in the united states. bud diesel is #1, followed by bud light, miller light, coors light, corona, natty light, heineken, michelob, busch light, high life, guinness, sam adams, keystone light, the beast, yuengling

http://www.barstools.net/media/the-15-best-selling-beers-in-the-u-s/

[Lighthouse 84]

Old Style.   It's front and center in the team picture.  It tastes like sweat smells like.  Another bad one is Rhinelander.  But when you're a student at MU and able to get it from Pick N' Save for $3.96 a case of returnable bottles, you drink it.

As for some of the other beers mentioned, in the early 80's we could get a half barrel of Bud from the Bud rep., who lived in the Bud House down the street from the Lighthouse, for about $20/half.  When you have a half of Bud in the fridge every day, you learn to love Bud.  Still do.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

A couple of the many deals we would get on bad beer from Badger Beer on State included a 1/4 barrel of Red White and Blue for $9.99 and a 1/2 barrel of Olde English 800 for $19.99. 

[Chili]

A couple of the many deals we would get on bad beer from Badger Beer on State included a 1/4 barrel of Red White and Blue for $9.99 and a 1/2 barrel of Olde English 800 for $19.99. 

Oh Badger Beer how I loved thee. Jalapeno Pepe Tequila. Flats of beer in just gold cans for $2.99 we called Golden - only knew it was from Minnesota.

[Ari Gold]

I did not purchase this but it was offered to me - a Kirkland Signature Beer which is apperantly a Cosco brand. There offer a pale ale, an amber ale, a hefe, and a German lager. I had the pale ale. It didn't taste like a pale ale. because it really didnt taste like anything. 

Suppose that for the price and the brand, you can't really expect greatness. I'd be more inclined to give the beer another try if It didn't have the Kirkland logo. It's on par with Roundy's brand alcohols

[Hards Alumni]

anything that is a Costco brand cannot be good.

[akmarq]

Beer 30.  Single worst beer on the planet.  And it comes in a purple can, which should be a red flag for any beer.