Bud Light continues to develop innovative products in line with the ever-changing tastes of the beer market consumers. Over the past few years, the brand has launched seltzers and fruit-flavored beers to stay in line with the ever-changing trends.
Anheuser-Busch, the owner of Bud Light, launched Bud Light NEXT, a zero-carb beer, on Feb. 7, 2022, to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for low-carb, low-calorie beers.
Anheuser-Busch pushed significant advertising for the new brand, with Bud Light NEXT taking center stage at the Super Bowl on Feb. 13, 2022, as one of six products Anheuser-Busch chose to advertise.
A day before the Super Bowl, Bud Light NEXT had its NFT launch (the Bud Light N3XT Collection) featuring 2,722 items, selling for $399 each. (NFT is short for a non-fungible token, a digital asset bought online and can be art, music, videos, and more).
In this article, we will take a closer look at Bud light NEXT from its history, price, sizes, and buying tips.
History
Budweiser is an American-style pale lager introduced to the American beer market in 1876. German-born Adolphus Busch and his friend Carl Conrad developed a “Bohemian-Style lager in the United States inspired by a trip to Bohemia and produced in their brewery in St Louis, Missouri.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a drink and brewing company based in Leuven, Belgium. AB InBev has a global management office in New York and regional headquarters in countries worldwide.
In addition to the regular Budweiser, there are several different varieties of beer under the Budweiser brand, such as Bud Light, Bud Ice, Bud Zero, and now the newly introduced Bud Light NEXT.
Miller Lite was introduced to the market in 1975 and was an immediate success due to a successful marketing program taking advantage of America’s rapidly growing diet culture. In 1982 Budweiser introduced Budweiser Light, and for the past two decades, Bud Light sales have exceeded those of Miller Lite.
Bud Light NEXT was developed after ten years of research and development to produce a beer with no carbs and only 80 calories at an alcohol content of 4% ABV and launched in February 2022.
A Beer with No Carbs
On Jan. 27, 2022, Anheuser Busch announced the debut of Bud Light NEXT, the company’s first zero-carb beer, with the message that ” this is the beginning of a new era for the Bud Light brand.”
In a press release, Andy Goeler, the vice president of marketing for Bud Light, has described the taste of the zero-carb beer as light and refreshing, with a hint of citrus.
The zero-carb beer targets younger consumers who are more health conscious and are looking for a product with the nutritional value of seltzer but tastes like beer. In an interview with CNN Business, Goeler stated that Bud Light NEXT would define the ” next generation of light beer for the next generation of beer drinkers.”
The increasingly popular trend of cutting out carbs has altered the habits of beer consumers worldwide. Although many companies have created low-carb beers, Anheuser Busch is the first major brewer to offer a beer with no carbs.
While popular brands like Heineken, Amstel, and Corona now have low-carb beers, Bud Light has taken the innovation further to eliminate carbs from Bud Light NEXT.
What ingredients are used to make Bud Light NEXT?
Bud Light NEXT is made with water and rice like the original Bud Light. However, it uses malt for the alcohol and natural flavors, omitting critical ingredients in the beer-making process like barley and hops, moving across the line between beer and hard seltzer.
What is the Production Process for Bud Light NEXT?
A spokesman for Bud Light NEXT was reluctant to give details of how the beer is produced but stated that it took Anheuser-Busch almost ten years to craft the beer to their liking and needed a brewing breakthrough to achieve it.
Prices, Variations, and Sizes
Bud Light NEXT
Bud Light NEXT beer has zero carbs, 80 calories, and an alcohol content of 4% ABV in a 12 oz slim can and has a refreshing, noticeably lighter taste than regular Bud Light with a citrusy undertone.
This beer has a very light amber color that is almost clear compared to other beers. Although Bud Light NEXT may not appeal to regular beer drinkers or those who enjoy Bud Light, it may be appealing to health-conscious drinkers who prefer beer over a seltzer.
Average Retail Prices for Bud Light NEXT
| Bud Light NEXT | 6 x 12oz cans | $8.48 |
| Bud Light NEXT | 12 x 12oz cans | $15.99 |
| Bud Light NEXT | 24 x 12oz cans | $29.99 |
Alternatives / Comparisons of Bud Light NEXT
Bud Light and Anheuser Busch produce a wide variety of alternatives to Bud Light NEXT, both in beer and seltzer products.
Bud Light
Bud Light is a premium beer featuring a fresh, clean taste, making it a top-selling beer in the United States. This light lager delivers ultimate refreshment with its crisp finish and malty sweetness.
Bud Light is brewed with barley malts and rice and uses a blend of premium aroma hops varieties. Since 2001, Bud Light has been the most popular beer in the United States, with 27 million barrels sold in 2019. However, worldwide, the Original Budweiser is still a more prominent seller.
A 12oz can of Bud Light contains alcohol of 4.2 % ABV, 6.6 grams of carbs, and 110 calories.
Miller Lite
Miller Lite is a light American lager beer sold by Molson Coors and is the main c0ompetitor to Bud Light. A can of Miller Lite has an alcohol content of 4.2% ABV, 3.2 grams of carbs, and 96 calories.
Bud Select 55
Bud Select 55 is a light, refreshing golden lager with the crisp, clean taste of Budweiser Select. It is made with caramel malts and a blend of hops to complement the full flavor of Bud Select.
This beer has an alcohol content of just 2.5% ABV, 1.9 grams of carbs, and 55 calories.
Bud Light Platinum
Bud Light Platinum is brewed using hops and a combination of malts and cereal grains, producing a smooth finish with a slightly sweeter taste and a higher alcohol content. A 12oz bottle will have an alcohol content of 6% ABV, 4.4 grams of carbs, and 137 calories.
Budweiser Zero
Most alcohol-zero beer has an alcohol content of 0.5% ABV. Budweiser Zero, however, is a beer that has no alcohol in it, 11.5 grams of carbs, 50 calories, and no sugar in a 12oz can.
FAQ’S
Is Bud Light NEXT okay for Diabetics?
The bottom line is that moderate alcohol consumption (not more than one or two drinks per day) is safe for most people with diabetes.
Alcohol competes with your liver’s ability to make glucose when your blood sugar is low. If you are on insulin, this can lead to low blood sugar levels up to 24 hours after you stop drinking.
To prevent hypoglycemia, don’t drink on an empty stomach, have some food while drinking beer, and monitor your blood sugar levels.
Is Bud Light NEXT healthier?
Bud Light Next is a healthier beer because it has no carbs or sugar and only 80 calories compared to Bud Light, which has 6.6 grams of carbs and 110 calories per 12oz can. Budweiser has 11 grams of carbs and 145 calories per 12oz can.
