As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to taste and analyze a wide variety of beers. One beer that caught my attention in recent years was Budweiser Prohibition Brew. This unique brew was introduced in 2016 and was marketed as a non-alcoholic alternative to the traditional Budweiser lager.
What made Budweiser Prohibition Brew intriguing was its claim to be brewed using the same recipe as the flagship Budweiser lager. This piqued my curiosity, as I wondered how they were able to achieve a non-alcoholic version of a classic beer without compromising on taste.
To my surprise, Budweiser Prohibition Brew boasted of incorporating “the latest in de-alcoholization technology.” This piqued my interest even further, as I had encountered other non-alcoholic beers that often lacked the depth and complexity of their alcoholic counterparts.
When Budweiser Prohibition Brew was first introduced, it made its debut in Canada before gradually spreading to other global markets. This strategic rollout allowed Budweiser to test the market and gauge consumer reception to this new offering. I personally had the chance to try it during a visit to Canada, and I found it to be a decent alternative for those seeking a non-alcoholic beer option.
However, as with any product, market trends and consumer preferences can change over time. In 2020, Budweiser made the decision to phase out Budweiser Prohibition Brew and replace it with a new offering called “Budweiser Zero.” While the exact reasons for this decision have not been explicitly stated, it is likely that Budweiser saw an opportunity to further improve upon their non-alcoholic beer and meet evolving consumer demands.
It is worth noting that Budweiser Zero is not a direct replacement for Budweiser Prohibition Brew in terms of taste or formulation. Budweiser Zero is marketed as a zero-alcohol beer, meaning it contains no alcohol whatsoever, as opposed to Budweiser Prohibition Brew, which had trace amounts of alcohol (less than 0.5% ABV).
Budweiser Prohibition Brew was an interesting and commendable attempt by Budweiser to offer a non-alcoholic alternative to their flagship lager. However, the discontinuation of Budweiser Prohibition Brew in favor of Budweiser Zero suggests that Budweiser is committed to continuously improving and innovating in the non-alcoholic beer market.