More Lime Beers?
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 | Beer
I received an email from Russell Brewing today announcing their new Cactus Lime Lager, to be sold at Cactus Club restaurants. This news depressed me. Does the market really need more lime flavored beers? I hope the Cactus Lime Lager is better than their Russell’s Lemon Ale, which I have previously tried and, similar to Bud Light Lime, found it to taste like bad Sprite. I thought I might enjoy the taste of “real lime flavor” in beer because I enjoy the occasional fruit wedge dropped into certain brews, but I really, really don’t. Those of you that do like lime flavored beers, what is it about them that you enjoy? Some say it is easy to drink, but so too are many other lagers (also water). I just don’t get it.
I really thought that Russell was going in the right direction with their recent IP’eh release, which I found to be a very tasty beer. I hoped they might introduce more well brewed limited edition beers (like the Blueberry Wheat they had at the Dix Caskival) to the market, but am instead disappointed to find them jumping on the lime flavor band wagon led by Bud Light Lime. It must make good business sense to be brewing this kind of beer, because they aren’t the only ones. In addition to BLL, Michelob brews a lime flavored beer, as does respected Canadian craft brewer Big Rock. I can only hope that other brewers don’t follow suit.
Cheers,
Chris
4 Comments to More Lime Beers?
I just saw a lime beer in the liquor store brought to us by the Northam Group – the same people that brew in Kamloops at the KB brewery. Everyone wants a piece of the bud light lime action.
August 14, 2009
[...] financial reward. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but craft brewers need to jump off the lime lager band wagon. Just stop, no more – Please! We all expect this sort of thing from Miller and Budwesier, [...]
I’ve had it. Its leaps and bounds better than both Bud Light Lime and Big Rock’s lime beer.
That said I agree that these beers are not fantastic. The whole thing is a company like Russell saw a window of opportunity and took it. I’m sure there are tons of people out there who think Bud Light Lime is great. Those people may stumble upon this, try it, and find it much better. In turn Russell will have gained new fans whom they can ease into craft beer.
Remember just because we love it doesn’t mean its not an adjustment to get into craft beer for many people who have spent years drinking fizzy yellow water.
I hear you and I’m glad that Russell’s take is much improved on BLL, which I foolishly tasted again this past weekend. I have my doubts, but I hope your Russell theory is correct and that they do convert yellow beer drinkers to craft beer. I was thinking soul selling cash grab; your view is much more optimistic:)
Thanks for the comment. I look forward to reading your new Vancouver beer blog, best of luck!
Cheers,
Chris
August 12, 2009