North America has been a pointer to trends at both ends of the Australian beer market, with both ultra-light flavoured, low-carbohydrate beers and flavour-bursting hop monsters being pioneered there.

The success of the low-carb market here will guarantee that Australia’s larger brewers will be watching closely the fortunes of a new beer at the lightest end of the spectrum.

Select 55, from from AB Inbev, brewers of the Budweiser brands, is billed as the “world’s lightest beer”. It is this week being rolled out nationally in the United States following trials in 15 test markets that commenced in August last year. It is described as being a “smooth, light golden lager with 55 calories and 1.9g carbohydrates per each 12-ounce serving (355ml), SELECT 55 is made with caramel malts and a blend of imported and domestic hopping.”

It would be interesting to know the amount of caramel malts used, with the beer weighing in at 55 calories (231kJ) and 1.9 grams of carbobydrates per bottle. Select 55 contains 2.4% abv.

The table below compares Select 55 to Australian low-carb (which the American’s consider to be light or lite beers) and low alcohol (which is considered light beer in Australia) beers.

Budweiser’s Select 55 targets a similar beer from rival brewer Miller, MGD 64. MGD 64 has 64 calories (268) and 2.8% alcohol.

www.select55.com

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