Low-carb beer goes national

Prepared Foods, Nov, 2002

Anheuser-Busch Inc., St. Louis, has made its own entry into the more-healthful arena, launching a new variety of beer that is law in carbohydrates.

Following months of regional testing, Michelob Ultra has gone nationwide, and the lager promises only 95 calories, 4.2% alcohol by volume and 2.6g of carbohydrates per 12-oz. serving. Regular 12-oz. bottles of beer typically have 150 calories and 5g of carbs.

The lower-corb beer is brewed using pale two-row and Munich six-row barley, select grains, all-imported hops and a pure, cultured yeast strain. Anheuser-Busch says the special choice of grains, combined with the extended mash process, produces the beer with fewer carbohydrates. Ultra is available in six-packs and 12-packs with the "sloped shoulder" bottle, six-packs of cans, and on draft.